As a Providence resident, I saw some great news in the Providence Journal this morning.  Mayor David Cicilline's budget for the next fiscal year does not include a property tax increase.  That's great news, but there are some questionable items in the budget.  Cicilline's director of administration, Richard Kerbel, said the budget is "conservative," but I have my doubts.

     There are several projections and sources of revenue that are questionable, at best.  For example, tax-exempt institutions pay the city $2 million per year, but the mayor includes $3.7 million in his budget.  Another $8 million in "special revenues" involves the sale of city property that might not be sold, and of course, revenue sharing could be less than the $6 million the city received this year.  I'm glad to see that there is no tax increase, but next year's budget is far from a done deal