Rhode Island Governor Don Carcieri has ordered 12 "shutdown days," along with cuts in municipal aid.  These actions are needed to secure $67 million in savings.  The 12 "shutdown days" will involve all nonessential state employees, and will include days when little business is conducted, such as Christmas Eve and the day after Thanksgiving.

     I work in a state building (but I'm not a state employee), so I can attest to the empty halls on those days.  These particular days will ensure necessary savings while having the smallest possible impact on public services.  As for state employees, I don't blame them for being angry.  If I was essentially losing 4.6% of my salary I'd definitely be angry.  Unfortunately, this move is necessary.  Employers all over the country, both public and private, have needed to reduce schedules, cut salaries, or eliminate benefits.  It's not a great situation for state employees, but at least they still have jobs.  Also, I wonder if state employees would be able to use vacation time on the "shutdown days."  I see first-hand that many employees take extra days near the holidays.  If this is allowed, it will make little difference to many employees.

     Of course, this argument will fall on many deaf ears.  Unions will complain, and progressives will start whining about the General Assembly's "failure" to eliminate the flat tax.  We'll hear about how it benefits very few people, and how many of them live out of state.  That's true, but they conveniently forget to mention that it is scheduled to decrease, and will continue to affect more people as the rate drops.  It's funny how some things are left out.

    You may disagree with the decision to have "shutdown days," but there are two broad options to consider: Cut spending or raise taxes.  I'm guessing that those who complain won't offer any logical way for the state to save money.  Instead, they will throw out numerous ways for us to surrender more of our earnings.  To most Rhode Islanders, that option is unacceptable.