2002
2001
2000
1999
1998
1997
1996
1995
Executive Order 02-03
July 25, 2002
WHEREAS, due to the decline in the economy and the uncertainty concerning the level of both revenues and expenditures, the State must continue to defend against a fiscal deficit of significant proportions; and
WHEREAS, every effort must be made to reduce spending to a level consistent with available resources in the current year; and
WHEREAS, every State manager and employee must be made aware of the need to economize and prevent unnecessary spending during this fiscal year; and
WHEREAS, proper fiscal procedures must be followed and enforced to ensure adequate control of obligations and expenditures.
NOW THEREFORE I, Lincoln C. Almond, by virtue of the authority vested in me as Governor of the State of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations, do hereby order the following:
1. All department and agency heads shall take action to direct their managers and employees to avoid obligating, encumbering, or spending appropriations except for those activities that are deemed absolutely essential during this fiscal year. Department and agency heads shall review the provisions of Rhode Island General Laws Section 35-3-24 "Control of state spending" with all personnel.
2. All department and agency heads shall personally review all requests to fill FTE positions, purchase services, and establish consultant contracts, and shall forward to the Budget Office only those requests that are absolutely essential for the operation of their department. Permission to fill vacant or new positions must be approved by the State Budget Officer pursuant to Section 35-3-1.
3. All department and agency heads shall reduce purchasing and contracting to the minimum levels absolutely essential for the orderly operation of programs and services to the public, including the full use of all available inventories to avoid unnecessary stockpiling.
4. All department and agency heads shall personally review and approve all overtime requests, taking appropriate measures to avoid unnecessary overtime wherever possible.
5. No new commitments for projects financed by the Rhode Island Capital Fund or general revenues shall be made, except as may be authorized by the State Budget Officer.
6. All department and agency heads shall ensure that proper fiscal and purchasing procedures are followed. Fiscal managers shall ensure the timely reporting of receipts and processing of payments to allow for accurate projections of the state's financial position.
7. Travel by state employees for meetings and conferences requiring overnight stays should be avoided unless deemed essential and of high priority to the department director or agency head. All expenditures that would be funded in whole or in part by state funds for:
a. travel on commercial carriers, except bus, car or train travel within a 100 mile radius of Providence, Rhode Island;
b. conferences and/or seminars; or
c. overnight lodging and/or meals
are prohibited by all departments of state government enumerated in Rhode Island General Laws Section 42-6-1 (except the departments of State, Attorney General, Treasury and the Office of the Lieutenant Governor), unless approved as hereinafter provided.
Such expenditures may be approved, if deemed essential and if preauthorized by the State Budget Officer, after recommendation by the department head setting forth:
a. the essential nature of and the timely interest of the State in making the proposed expenditure;
b. the number of persons traveling or attending; and
c. an itemized list of the estimated expenditures.
8. For those state entities whose conduct and operation are not directly covered by this Executive Order, on behalf of the people of the State, their voluntary adherence to the measures set forth in this Order is respectfully requested.
9. This Executive Order shall take effect immediately and shall expire on January 1, 2003, unless amended or extended by the Governor.
Lincoln Almond
Governor