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Fed up, I've read the RI FSA and it includes an exemption for audits where the auditor general and department of revenue have approved extensions in the deadline to publish them.

So, the city has not met that condition because they got state approval for releasing the FY18 audit this late. (I seem to remember reading about a letter from the state giving that approval.)

And this year's budget may show a deficit on paper, but until the fiscal year ends next June 30 (and an audit is completed), it is not official and does not qualify the city for receivership.

Now, don't get me wrong, I don't disagree that if we keep going down this road, we will be looking at the state getting involved.

But at this point, the mayor and city council -- as hard as they're trying to avoid it -- have to make tough decisions on their own to get the city out of this mess, and they can't expect the state to bail them out or take the blame for it.