Governments at all levels in Rhode Island have accumulated a combined $10.5 billion of debt, and a handful of municipalities’ liabilities are alarmingly high, according to a new study by General Treasurer Seth Magaziner’s office.
The debt affordability study, Rhode Island’s first since 1999, is an ambitious 130-page report that attempts to track public borrowing at all levels, from the state government itself to quasi-public agencies, cities and even small fire districts. It also suggests new targets for maximum sustainable debt. A draft version was presented to the Public Finance Management Board this week.