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Rhode Island's poverty rate is highest in New Engalnd, New Hampshire's is lowest
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The rate of poverty in Rhode Island rose 3% to 12.7%, which is the highest level in New England. Linda Katz, policy director of the Poverty Institute had this to say, "So many people have lost their jobs. The increase in poverty is related to the fact that people have lost their jobs and their source of income." The recession certainly has been difficult, and it has undoubtedly been a contributor to the rising rate of poverty, but it certainly isn't the whole story.
While Rhode Island's poverty rate continues to rise, New Hampshire's rate is nearly half of ours at 7%. New Hampshire's rate is the lowest in the nation. What's the difference between Rhode island and New Hampshire? The first thing that jumps out at me is New Hampshire's tax policy: No income or sales taxes. On the other hand, we have Rhode Island that recently raised the capital gains tax, and had a large contingency of legislators attempting to raise income taxes. For the most part, our legislators would rather raise revenue than cut spending.
Linda Katz is correct about increased poverty being linked to people losing their jobs. Here's the big question: Why are New Hamshire residents better off than Rhode Islanders? The answer is multifaceted, but I have no doubt that our tax policies and love of big government are the root of our problems.
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