RI Budget FY 2011 breakdown

PROVIDENCE, R.I. (AP) - On Tuesday, Governor Don Carcieri unveiled his proposed $7.5 billion state budget that would make big cuts in funding for local governments to close a massive budget deficit

Here's a breakdown of the proposed budget for FY 2011.

TOTAL: $7.5 billion.

DEFICIT: Aims to close a $427 million spending shortfall.

LONG-TERM GAPS: Assuming Carcieri's plan passes, Rhode Island
faces $1.8 billion in deficits through 2015. He must leave office
after finishing his second term early next year, so that problem
will be left to his successor.

LOCAL GOVERNMENT: Carcieri wants to cut more than $135 million
in state funding for city and town governments. Local mayors say
they could be forced to raise property taxes to compensate. The
governor has backed legislation that he believes would reduce local
government costs, for example, allowing them to forgo school bus
monitors. Carcieri says municipal workers need to take pay cuts.

EDUCATION: State funding for public schools would drop from
roughly $731 million now to $693 million under Carcieri's latest
proposal. Part of the cut would be offset by reducing the annual
cost-of-living increase in the pensions of retired teachers.
Charter schools would get a $6 million boost in funding while
traditional school systems would see overall reductions. Businesses
could get $2 million in tax credits for subsidizing tuition at
private schools, instead of the current $1 million limit.

TOLLS: Drivers on the newly built Sakonnet River Bridge would
pay a toll equal to that on the Newport Bridge, now $4 for those
paying cash. The extra money would fund repairs on bridges
throughout the state.

STIMULUS: Carcieri's plan depends on Rhode Island receiving $95
million in stimulus funding that Congress has not approved.

HIRING: Would give small businesses a $2,000 tax credit for
hiring unemployed workers in a state with nearly 13 percent
unemployment.

BUSINESS TAXES: Minimum corporate tax would drop from $500 to
$250.

FEES: Taking a road test at the Division of Motor Vehicles would
cost $25 instead of being free. Price of a state ID card would jump
from $15 to $25. Filing an accident report would $15, instead of
$10.