The Providence Journal front page story today reports a poverty rate of 21.5 percent in our state. Rhode Islanders can be “proud” that although we are the highest in New England, we are still slightly lower than the national average of 22.2 percent. Right… So if you are a teacher, and you look out over your class of 20 children this morning, four or five of those little munchkins staring up at you likely live at or below the poverty level. Four of their parents make less than $19,000 per year. If you are a single mother with two kids, you have to get by on less than $20K. That is pretty scary. And pretty disgraceful for our state, and our leaders. Can’t we do better than that?

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You can find your state reps here:

http://webserver.rilin.state.ri.us/Email/RepEmailListDistrict.asp

and your senators here:

http://webserver.rilin.state.ri.us/Email/SenEmailListDistrict.asp

By the way, here are the annuals for our top legislators, paid with your taxes.

Governor: $129,210

Attorney General: $115,610

Lt. Governor: $108,808

Secretary of State: $108,808

General Treasurer: $108,808