THE OTHER WEEK, a panel of worthies convened by Governor Carcieri submitted its findings about how to reform Rhode Island’s Economic Development Corporation. I read the memo and developed some minor whiplash as I went from the good parts to the, um, less good parts.

Here’s one of my favorites, that illustrates both the good and the bad. Permitting is a perennial complaint of businesses. To protect public health and the environment, there are a series of approvals many businesses need to get from the state or local government to build or expand. These range from permission to fill a wetland or certificates of occupancy from the local building inspector. Of course, a fair amount of the complaints generated are because of permission denied. It is true, of course, that many businesses would be more profitable if allowed to break the rules.

Full Story: Tom Sgouros: The EDC can only play a very minor role Source: Providence Journal, May 11th, 2009 Author: Tom Sgouros Added on May 11th, 2009 at 10:09 am, by Matt Mikula