Could West Warwick and Providence be bailed out? Could they issue Pension Obligation bonds? Don't count on it. Once these Puerto Rico municipal bonds hit the market who is going to want Providence or West Warwick paper?
Recent reports describe an effort by Morgan Stanley http://dealbook.nytimes.com/2014/01/21/2-billion-deal-in-works-for-puerto-rico/?_php=true&_type=blogs&_r=0 .Puerto Rico's 3.7 million people have endured a shrinking economy since the 2004 and may again be tumbling back into recession, partly from a pensions overhaul that is kicking in. It passed reforms earlier this year to try to bring down its $37.3 billion of unfunded pension liabilities, but the territory's $35 billion of pension debt will remain for years.
Puerto Rico comparisons to West Warwick,RI and Providence,RI and Central Falls, RI just prior to Chapter 9 filing appear below:
Unfunded Liabilities Population Per capita pension debt Debt Rating
Puerto Rico $35 billion 3,700.000 $ 9459 Baa3
Providence $1.35 billion 174,800 $ 7723 Baa1
W. Warwick $125.9 million 29,191 $ 4314 Baa2
Central Falls $ 46.5 million 19,369 $ 2403 B3
2010
Central Falls has just emerged from bankruptcy / receivership. Unions initially rejected proposals and ended up receiving roughly 60 cents on the dollar. I expect retirees will do better in West Warwick's receivership because there is plenty of room and precedent in other Rhode Island troubled cities like Woonsocket and Providence that allow for a 50% increase in individual and commercial property tax rates. This is very likely. current revenues from property taxes in West Warwick are approximately $54 million dollars. This doesn't even cover the cost of education in town. A 50% supplemental tax increase will generate roughly $27 million dollars and if placed in its entirety in Pension Retirement plan assets would increase assets by 100% but would still be only 44% funded and in critical status. the rest of what is necessary will come in reduced benefits. $ 50 million in cuts from the 650 employees receiving benefits will place the plan 67% funded , still at risk but out of "critical status".
I have heard people say things like we're not as bad as Woonsocket or Central Falls or Providence. That may or may not be true but Rhode Island cities compare horribly across the nation and even in New England. I will attempt to explain why over the next twelve months. Each town is different even though persistent under-funding is by far the biggest factor. The critical issue now is these town will go under without immediate reform.You have all been warned.
references
http://www.golocalprov.com/politics/michael-riley-west-warwick-is-headed-for-disaster/
http://www.golocalprov.com/politics/riley-providence-debt-is-epic-disaster-other-ri-towns-even-worse/
http://rhodeisland.municipalbonds.com/bonds/moodys_report/27218/
https://www.moodys.com/sites/products/DefaultResearch/102249_RM.pdf
http://www.riliving.com/about-rhode-island/taxrates/index.aspx
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