Rhode Island

Rhode Island has a Constitutional Amendment from 1992 that limits appropriations to 98% of estimated revenue.

ARTICLE IX - Of The Executive Power

Section 16. Limitation on state spending. -- 

(a) No appropriation, supplemental appropriation or budget act shall cause the aggregate state general revenue appropriations enacted in any given fiscal year to exceed ninety-eight percent (98%) of the estimated state general revenues for such fiscal year from all sources, including estimated unencumbered general revenues to the new fiscal year remaining at the end of the previous fiscal year. Estimated unencumbered general revenues are calculated by taking the estimated general revenue cash balance at the end of the fiscal year less estimated revenue anticipation bonds or notes, estimated general revenue encumbrances, estimated continuing general revenue appropriations and the amount of the budget reserve account at the end of said fiscal year. 

(b) The amount between the applicable percentage in (a) and one hundred percent (100%) of the estimated state general revenue for any fiscal year as estimated in accordance with subsection (a) of this section shall be appropriated in any given fiscal year into the budget reserve account; provided, however, that no such payment will be made which would increase the total of the budget reserve account to more than three percent (3%) of only the estimated state general revenues as set by subsection (a) of this section. In the event that the payment to be made into the budget reserve account would increase the amount in said account to more than three percent (3%) of estimated state general revenues that said amount shall be transferred to the state bond capitol fund to be used solely for the purposes of reduction of state indebtedness, payment of debt service, and/or funding of capitol projects. 

(c) Within forty-five (45) days after the close of any fiscal year, all unencumbered general revenue in the year end surplus account from the said fiscal year shall be transferred to the general fund.

-- THE CONSTITUTION OF THE STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

Rhode Island’s Constitution limits the state’s Governor to two consecutive terms.

 ARTICLE IV - OF ELECTIONS AND CAMPAIGN FINANCE

Section 1. Election and terms of governor, lieutenant governor, secretary of state, attorney-general, general treasurer, and general assembly members. -- The governor, lieutenant governor, secretary of state, attorney-general, general treasurer shall be elected on the Tuesday after the first Monday in November, quadrennially commencing A.D. 1994, and every four (4) years thereafter, and shall severally hold their offices, subject to recall as provided herein, for four (4) years from the first Tuesday of January next succeeding their election and until their successors are elected and qualified. No person shall serve consecutively in the same general office for more than two (2) full terms, excluding any partial term of less than two (2) years previously served.

 -- THE CONSTITUTION OF THE STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

Created by: Jennifer L. Crull

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