Rhode Island is a beautiful state with sandy beaches, world class restaurants, and a vibrant arts and culture scene. Yet many Rhode Islanders struggle just to pay for the basics, making it all but impossible for them to enjoy all that our state has to offer. In fact, many workers would not be able to get by if not for government-funded work and income supports that help close the gap between earnings and expenses.
The 2014 edition of the Rhode Island Standard of Need offers context on why this is the case and presents ideas on how to make it better.