Redirecting state funding can spur economic development

By Patrick Anderson
PBN Staff Writer

Since finishing fourth in a 2010 bid for governor, Sympatico Software Systems President and Moderate Party founder Ken Block has remained an active presence in the Rhode Island political arena. This year, Block is working with fellow business leaders in the Smaller Business Association of New England to develop and promote an economic-policy plan for the state. The plan, which Block and other SBANE members are pitching to elected officials this winter, calls for a series of economic-development and education reforms to spur growth. The SBANE plan would redirect state English-as-a-second-language funding to economic development, investigate use patterns in unemployment insurance, potentially eliminate the state temporary-disability insurance program and exempt new investments in Rhode Island companies from capital gains tax. The education ideas include increasing instructional time, reducing teacher absence and moving the start of teacher contracts away from the beginning of the school year. More
This item is available in full to subscribers. If you are a current subscriber, log in to continue.

Otherwise, purchase a subscription to continue.

You can also purchase this single article, if you prefer. Click here to continue.
Calendar
PBN Hosted
Events

Celebrate RI's many exceptional women at PBN's Business Women Awards luncheon May 30th at the Providence Marriott. Reserve your seat today!
Advertisement
National
Local
Latest News