W. Warwick lures jewelry firm from North Prov. with tax break (h/t Ten Nesi). Why do we have to bribe companies to set up shop in RI?

HS Diplomas as participation trophies? Groups Seek to Ban ‘High Stakes Testing’ in Schools. I think it would help disadvantaged students to get a *better* education, not to allow them to 'graduate' with a worse one.

Ted Nesi: RI would have 14.2% jobless rate if 22,000 workers weren’t MIA. This problem is bigger than RI. Nationwide, the unemployment numbers -- and inflation numbers -- have become the third kind of lie.

Not everyone thinks Angel Taveras is handing Providence's financial woes well.

Dan McGowan: Ten Ways to Save Providence from Bankruptcy. From the comments: 

and how much office space does taveres rent for the city from joe p?

$5

This looks interesting: AG's office seizes attorney's phone.

"The seizure was pursuant to a search warrant and is related to an ongoing investigation,” said Amy Kempe, Spokesperson for Attorney General Peter Kilmartin.

The New Republic has a piece on RI's new voter ID law. Pretty well researched. H/t Ten Nesi.

We had a reason to: Ted Nesi: Nobody felt worse about economy in ’11 than Rhode Islanders.
UPDATE: Link fixed. Sorry!

Dan Lawlor: Time to End Homelessness in Providence. Our "leaders" better be thinking about other things, or we will all be homeless.

EDC Approves $500,000 Loan for Up to 15 Jobs Now. 47 Jobs by 2015. Why do we continually have to bribe companies to set up shop in RI? Do something about that problem.

Dan McGowan: Which Communities Get the Most State Aid in Chafee’s Budget? From the text:

“We do not have a spending problem we have a revenue problem in the state,” [Dr. Edward] Mazze [Distinguished University Professor of Business Administration at the University of Rhode Island] said.

Really? 

Gallup: Rhode Islanders soured on Obama, liberalism in 2011. What are they going to do, vote republican?

Rep Scott Guthrie (D-Dist 28, Coventry) proposes caps on municipal contract legal fees. No such cap on union legal fees. RELATED: Guthrie receives $5K from local unions.

Good game last night. I didn't care for the outcome. The important thing is 13 days until Pitchers & Catchers report!

I love reading GoLocalProv. You get both sides of the story: the Liberal *and* the Progressive!

Providence born White Sox first baseman Paul Konerko is considering retirement after 2012 or 2013.

Providence born and former Red Sox Dan Wheeler signed a minor league contract with the Cleveland Indians.

Taveras set to meet with CF receiver. Is Providence going around the state receivership process? CF & EP needed to get a "receiver" (dictator?) before they could seek bankruptcy protection.

Ted Nesi: Hospitals say $9M CEO pay isn’t a sign they can help Taveras.