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Last Updated on Monday, 5 January 2009 01:49 Written by rslcpol Monday, 5 January 2009 01:49
From Projo.com:
When the General Assembly reopens for business Tuesday, lawmakers must confront a sour economy, a $357-million current-year budget shortfall and pressure to act on the Carcieri administration’s first-ever plan to overhaul Rhode Island’s Medicaid program.
The mood on Smith Hill is ominous.
“To be perfectly blunt, the world really did change since we left this building in June with the global financial meltdown,” said Senate Majority Leader-elect Daniel P. Connors. “This year will be absolutely dominated by budget discussions.”
After six months off, legislative leaders have pledged to act swiftly to address the deficit, making committee appointments and holding hearings this week.