Lawmakers tackle next year's budget

PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WPRI) - Lawmakers still face a long road ahead in dealing with Rhode Island's financial crisis.

Just days after approving a budget to close this fiscal years $370 million deficit, lawmakers have to started work on the budget for next year. The House Finance Committee tackled 20 articles in Governor Donald Carcieri's $7.6 billion budget plan on Monday.

One article would raise BCI checks from $5 dollars to $25 dollars. That could bring in nearly $900, 000 dollars. Fines for late renewals for food protection licenses could bring in another $25,000 more.

Another article could give the state a short term line of credit of up to $350 million dollars. Article 11, criticized by some attorney's, would put the Department of Safety, also known as the state police, in charge of forensic oversight.

Meanwhile, a seat belt law, would make driving unbuckled a primary offense, and would raise millions in federal funds. But, there's a catch.

"The article would also decrease the fine for lack of seat belt usage from $85 to $30. Changes to the offense status would make the state eligible for a one time grant of at least $3.7 million from the National Highway Transportation Safety Administration," said one member of the committee during Monday's meeting.

However, that money is already spent. It's already in the $7.6 billion budget proposal. So, it's not extra money to close Rhode Island's budget gap.

"Are the numbers real and can they be achieved. Those are the kind of questions that you need to ask. Everything is on the table, everything is being looked at. At the end of the day you have to pass a balanced budget which is a combination of expenditures and revenues and both sides have to be looked at " says Committee Chairman Steven Constantino.