Make the Stimulus Work for Rhode Island

March for Jobs and Dignity NOW!

February 26

Meet at 3:30 pm at the Charlesgate Nursing Home

100 Randall St, Providence (Between Charles St. and North Main Street, park in the shopping Center across the street or on street parking)

 

Rally at 4:00pm at the State House on Smith Street

 

With up to 1 billion dollars projected to come to RI through the Federal Economic Stimulus, it’s time our decision makers heard loud and clear:

 

Our Stimulus must go to putting Rhode Islanders back to work and protecting good jobs, NOT continuing failed polices of tax cuts for the richest Rhode Islanders.

 

 Be There on the 26th! In the meantime, send a message right now to your legislators.

JwJ is joining SEIU, 1199, The Campaign For RI Priorities & OSA for this march. Be There!

Sample Letter for Campaign

Subject: Ensure the Stimulus Puts RI Back To Work

Dear [ Decision Maker ] ,

Just like the Bush tax cuts, Rhode Island's 15 years of tax giveaways to the wealthy have failed to create promised jobs.

Instead, they have driven up property taxes for middle-income families, forced cuts to basic needs programs that help vulnerable elderly and children, and reduced federal matching dollars that support our entire economy.

Now, we have growing deficits and an unemployment level rising faster than any other state in the country. The Governor's Tax Commission's recommendations will worsen these failed and harmful policies by giving tax breaks mostly to those making over $250,000 as well as the largest corporations in the state.

Instead of more tax cuts for the wealthiest, I'm urging you to ensure that the hundreds of millions of stimulus dollars coming to Rhode Island put Rhode Islanders back to work, protect good jobs and the programs Rhode Islanders depend on, and lay the foundation for a sustainable revenue in Rhode Island for future years.

Please support measures this year that will restore the long-term capitol gains tax to 5% and increase short-term capital gains to 9.5%, repeal the alternative flat tax and institute combined reporting so that large corporations pay their fair share.

Middle and working class Rhode Islanders have shouldered too much of the taxpaying for too long. Please support us at the State House this year.

Sincerely,

Campaign Launched:
February 18, 2009


Background Information

The Governor wants to use hard economic times to continue to promote his own failed policies of tax cuts for the wealthiest and large corporations, and budget cuts for education, health care, and other critical programs.  But we can turn back the tide by fighting the proposals out of the Governors Tax Commission and organizing together for policies that restore taxation to the richest Rhode Islanders, protect programs and services we depend on, put Rhode Islanders back to work and protect good Rhode Island jobs.

 

 

Join us to demand that the federal stimulus package protect good jobs and put

Rhode Island back to work!