Tagged: economy

There is some good news for Rhode Island’s housing market.  The Rhode Island Association of Realtors reports that single family home sales increased by 43% last month as compared to a year ago.  The median price of 195-thousand-dollars is 1% higher than November 2011.  
November’s numbers also show an even balance between the supply of houses for sale and the number of potential buyers according to the RIAR.  

By IAN DONNIS

PROVIDENCE, RI – Once again, it was a busy year in the Ocean State, and Rhode Island Public Radio's counting down the top ten news stories of 2012. At number 10 is Providence's finances.

Providence Mayor Angel Taveras says he was taken by surprise by the discovery of a category 5 fiscal storm when he took office in January 2011. Taveras has been able to wipe out most of a 110 million dollar deficit in the almost two years since then.

By FLO JONIC

PROVIDENCE, RI – The state's latest homeless census shows a sharp uptick in the number of people living outdoors. It's a consequence of the overcrowded state of shelters.

When the federal government conducted a census of Rhode Island's homeless population at the start of the year it found 28 people living outdoors statewide. A census conducted last week by local volunteers shows the number has more than quintupled to 146.

By IAN DONNIS

PROVIDENCE, RI – A Superior Court judge Tuesday ordered the two sides in Rhode Island's pension case to try to settle their differences through mediation. A series of unions are challenging last year's landmark overhaul of the pension system. Five public sector unions are suing the state, arguing that it went too far in cutting retirement benefits.

By IAN DONNIS

PROVIDENCE, RI – A larger than expected surplus means that Rhode Island's deficit for the next fiscal year is about half of what it was expected to be. A presentation at a House Finance Committee meeting Wednesday shows the state to be on track for a 47 million dollar surplus in the current fiscal year.

Thanks to that surplus, the budget hole for the fiscal year starting July first is now put at 70 million dollars. That's roughly half of what was previously expected.

By BRADLEY CAMPBELL

PROVIDENCE, RI – All this week we're looking at what's vulnerable in Rhode Island should the U.S. government fall over the so-called "fiscal cliff" triggering spending cuts and tax hikes. While it's unclear whether lawmakers on Capitol Hill will come to an agreement before the end of the year, funding for the environment could face cuts. For example, jobs created by wind energy are at risk.

By CATHERINE WELCH

PROVIDENCE, RI – All this week we're looking at what's vulnerable in Rhode Island should the U.S. government fall over the so-called "fiscal cliff" triggering spending cuts and tax hikes. While it's unclear whether lawmakers on Capitol Hill will come to an agreement before the end of the year, the defense budget is one area facing across the board cuts. There are some 12-thousand jobs in Rhode Island tied to defense contracts. Here's a look at how cuts to defense could hurt the Ocean State.