The front page of the Providence Journal has a story titled "Carcieri Cuts Get a Chilly Reaction".  The story goes on to describe the plight of teachers and state workers who may have to wait until they are 59 to retire, and may lose cost of living adjustments if they retire after April 1st.  Of course, this is all dependent on Governor Carcieri's supplemental budget being passed.  With increasing life spans and improved medical technology, 59 is still a young age to retire.  As for the lack of a COLA, let's not forget that retirees will leave with a pension that is about 75% or so of their last years salary.  That's not too shabby.  I don't think the typical Rhode Islander would mind having these options available.

     The article also goes on to point out that as many as 1,659 state workers and 1,011 teachers could leave in a mass exodus by April 1st.  If this happens, I wish them well.  Rhode Island has the higherst unemployment rate in the country, so I'm sure we could easily fill those positions at a lower salary.  As for the teachers, I know people who have been substitute teachers for years waiting to be hired, and others who never tried because of the potential wait.  This will also help free up jobs for the unemployed, under employed, and recent graduates, while also saving money.  It's a big change, but it's one that needs to be made.