Society of CPAs 'respectfully disagrees' with governor's free college plan

By Tessa Roy
Posted 3/28/17

By TESSA ROY Governor Gina Raimondo's proposal to send students to state colleges with two years paid for has received some vocal support, but it is not without critics. Recently, the Rhode Island Society of Certified Public Accountants (RISCPA),

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Society of CPAs 'respectfully disagrees' with governor's free college plan

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Governor Gina Raimondo’s proposal to send students to state colleges with two years paid for has received some vocal support, but it is not without critics. Recently, the Rhode Island Society of Certified Public Accountants (RISCPA), membership of which is comprised of professionals from Rhode Island and southeastern New England representing the accounting, finance, insurance, academia and law fields, conducted a study it said “indicates a lack of support” for the governor’s proposal in its present state. Approximately 78 percent of the respondents expressed their opposition to the plan in last week’s survey, the society wrote in a press release.

"Our membership cares deeply about seeing Rhode Island's next generation access a quality and affordable education, but they don't believe this plan is the way to achieve that," stated RISCPA President Robert A. Mancini. "We share the governor's concern about the need to see more in-state students complete a college or community college education. However, we respectfully disagree that this plan is the best use of taxpayer investment in public education."

RISCPA said that respondents to the survey were concerned that the plan “seems out of step” with what the state can currently afford (if implemented, the cost would increase from $10 million in 2018 to $30 million annually as of 2021 when fully implemented), as it would “create one of the most ambitious college tuition subsidy programs in the country.” Others listed the “lack of research being provided to show future year costs associated with program growth,” as well as the plan's “minimal expectation of academic requirements and financial need eligibility restrictions placed on students.”

Additionally, RISCPA said respondents were concerned about the potential impact on the three institutions of a rapid enrollment increase, particularly in maintaining academic standards, keeping up with growing facility infrastructure needs, and increased staffing costs.

“RISCPA appreciates the energy and focus Governor Raimondo has placed on upgrading career training and workforce development programs to improve the state's attractiveness to employers and future economic development. We are hopeful the many job training initiatives currently underway will continue to improve the state's ability to grow important industry sectors that will generate job development for Rhode Islanders,” the statement concluded.

In a statement provided to the Beacon on Monday, the governor’s office responded by maintaining that the proposal is affordable. It also pointed to a list of more than 20 endorsements from media outlets, educational, advocacy and religious organizations, and elected officials.

“The governor has proposed an affordable plan that would be a game-changer for Rhode Island, increasing access to higher education for every student,” the statement read. “Her proposal has received bipartisan support across the state from various media outlets, educational organizations and elected officials, including Warwick Mayor Avedisian and Johnston Mayor Polisena.”

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  • richardcorrente

    Please add my name to the list of those who "respectfully disagree" with the Governors idea for "free" education. It bothers me that she is calling it "free" when it will cost the taxpayers $33,000,000 for the first year alone! We all know that the taxpayer-paid cost will skyrocket from there; once we have a commitment-for-life to continue funding it.

    Don't vote for this bill. The taxpayers just can't afford it. Besides aren't we already subsidizing education with Pell Grants?

    Enough is enough. It's time to take care of the taxpayers. They are the ones that are paying the tab!

    Happy Easter everyone.

    Rick Corrente

    The Taxpayers Mayor

    Tuesday, March 28, 2017 Report this

  • Thecaptain

    They are all paying the tab with the exception of the Non-Taxpayer Mayor who still as of this date has not paid his car taxes.

    Tuesday, March 28, 2017 Report this

  • richardcorrente

    The car taxes that Mr. Cote (AKA Thecaptain) just mentioned came to a whopping total of one penny. That's not a misprint. ONE PENNY! He is trying to discredit me for ONE PENNY. I paid it Friday March 24th and got a paid "one penny" receipt.

    You decide if that is worth all the time and effort he has spent on it. He has also tried to discredit me about my divorce of over 25 years ago and sent a letter full of lies to everyone who was kind enough to let me put my sign on their lawn during the election of 2016. These actions are not just beneath him. They are miles beneath him.

    Happy Easter everyone.

    Rick Corrente

    The Taxpayers Mayor

    Wednesday, March 29, 2017 Report this