By Steve Peoples
Journal State House Bureau

The Ocean State Policy Research Institute is growing.

The Providence-based group known for its support of conservative principles -- board members include First Lady Suzanne Carcieri and unsuccessful GOP congressional candidate Jonathan P. Scott -- has named J. Scott Moody as its "fellow for economic policy," bringing to10 those on its "board of scholars."

Moody, who is based in New Hampshire, will be tasked with leading research efforts for "a series of studies" on Rhode Island's wealth migration, company migration, public/private sector compensation, and overall Rhode Island tax climate, according to OSPRI President William Felkner.

"There hasn't been a lot of people doing what we do," Felkner told Political Scene, adding that he hoped the research might help shift public policies on Smith Hill.
Moody, a tax policy analyst for more than 12 years, has previously worked for the Tax Foundation and the Maine Heritage Policy Center. He will be paid for some of his research, according to Felkner, but won't receive a regular paycheck like the group's three paid staffers.

Since its founding in 2007, OSPRI, registered as a 501c3, has funded its activities with charitable donations.

The nonprofit entity received $59,988 in "direct public support" in tax year 2007, ending the year with a $13,150 surplus, according to its filing with the IRS, which notes that Felkner earned $26,000 that year. Those numbers jumped significantly in tax year 2008, the most recent data available.

The organization that has been critical of state budget deficits, took in $201,865, but spent $205,608, ending the tax year $3,743 in the red, according to its filing with the IRS. Felkner's salary was $88,000.