Platform
- JOBS & TAXES – Hardworking Rhode Islanders are the key to reviving the economy, but they cannot do that without money……and certainly not if they continue to be taxed into submission. Beth Moura will fight for much needed and deserved tax relief for our hard working taxpayers and small businesses.
- BUDGET – The first thing individuals and families do when hard financial times hit is cut back to the bare necessities. While everyday people understand this concept, our General Assembly does not. Isn’t it much easier to spend other peoples’ money than your own? Cutting excessive spending isn’t enough, ELIMINATING it altogether is what must be done. We have many areas where we’re hemorrhaging money, none of which our General Assembly has the courage to address.
- SOCIAL PROGRAMS – Rhode Island ranks amongst the highest in the country with our social program (entitlement) budget and allowances. Unfortunately our generosity has been being exploited. These programs simply are not working and need aggressive reform. We must limit the amount of time an individual can receive benefits and immediately eliminate the financial incentives for these single parents who grow their families at the tax payers’ expense. The benefit system needs restructuring with the implantation of a sliding scale. Currently, if someone goes to work part-time they will likely lose their benefits entirely. This traps them in the system, offers no incentive to exit the system, and maximizes the cost to the taxpayers. Beth Moura would also work to implement a re-certification process to include the requirement that applicants verify they are legal residents in order to be considered for government assistance.
- ILLEGAL IMMIGRATION – As a member of RIILE (Rhode Islanders for Immigration Law Enforcement), Beth Moura is very much aware of the social and economic implications that result from staggering numbers of illegal immigrants who do not assimilate to our culture or pay taxes. Central Falls is an excellent example of the devastating outcome of having large numbers of illegal immigrants and a high entitlement population. E-Verify legislation must be passed, and if needed legislation offering very aggressive tax incentives for businesses that use E-Verify voluntarily.
- PENSION SYSTEM – The influence the union lobbyists have over our General Assembly is palpable. Rhode Island currently has an under-funded pension system that will bankrupt our state. Balance must be created for economic sustainability, fairness and equality. The state must move from a defined benefits plan to a defined contributions plan as soon as possible. This would mirror the private sector. With 25% of our population unemployed and under-employed, it’s disappointing to have union leaders fighting for more, when so many people in their own communities have little to nothing at all. Significant strides MUST be made to achieve reform that is fair, equitable and fiscally responsible.
- SMALLER, LEANER GOVERNMENT – It’s not a secret. The figures are in. The larger our Government gets, the more unaffordable it becomes. It’s time to scale back and in some cases eliminate unnecessary Government entities. Programs that are not successful must go. Government-funded special interests must go!