Budget Moves Forward Without Governor

Budget Moves Forward Without Governor

Gov. Don Carcieri announced this afternoon that he won’t sign the budget that $7.8 billion budget that passed the Legislature last week because it assumes the state will get $100 in federal Medicaid funds that have “yet to materialize.”

“Further, this budget neglects to look forward to 2012 when the federal stimulus program ends, leaving a $200 million dollar shortfall in the budget,” Carcieri said. “Passing my pension reform and completely eliminating the motor vehicle excise tax would have helped to cushion the blow when the stimulus money ends.”   

By not signing it instead of outright vetoing it, Carcieri is allowing the budget to become law.

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Carcieri did offer some olive branches to lawmakers—applauding them for passing a tax cut and reigning in pension costs.