April 6, 2010
Oversized, Photogenic Grant Checks or Some Flood Relief for Constituents?
This will be an interesting conundrum.
[From a press release.]
State Representatives John Loughlin (R-Tiverton, Little Compton, Portsmouth) and Jon Brien (D-Woonsocket) today announced that they will be introducing legislation to provide tax relief to Rhode Islanders affected by the devastating March floods.The proposed tax credit would provide a one-time, per family $2,000 state income tax credit to Rhode Islanders who have met FEMA standards for aid and have uninsured losses greater than $10,000.
“Rhode Islanders are resilient, but these floods are another blow to our already reeling economy and bleak job market,” added Representative Loughlin. “It is our hope that allowing Rhode Islanders to claim this special tax credit for uninsured losses will help close the gap between what they lost and what is covered by federal aid.”
“While there’s little we can do to replace items of sentimental value, we wanted to ease the financial burden,” said Representative Brien. “By using the $2.6 million stashed away in the legislative grant fund, we expect that this bill will be revenue neutral. We believe that other legislators will agree that helping victims of a natural disaster should be a budget priority.”
(HEY! Aren't these guys opponents for the same Congressional seat???)
UPDATE
... as to the candidacy status of Rep Jon Brien, courtesy of commenter John:
Jon declared himself to be no longer seeking the first district congressional seat last Friday on a Woonsocket radio appearance (WNRI). Now they'rer just two conservative buddies again.
Jon declared himself to be no longer seeking the first district congressional seat last Friday on a Woonsocket radio appearance (WNRI). Now they'rer just two conservative buddies again.
Posted by: John at April 6, 2010 11:30 AMA conservative GOP member suggesting government giveaways of money which does not exist?
Can't be.
I thought all our problems would be solved if we elected these conservatives?
Guess not....probably the only thing they do better than the existing flock is being hypocrtical.
Posted by: Stuart at April 6, 2010 12:34 PMI know you're trying to be sarcastic, but that post was just dumb.
"...money which does not exist"
No one has ever said the money doesn't exist. The Democrats flout the idea that they give away millions of taxpayer dollars every year without any oversight as a political tool. The Republicans yell and scream that this is a huge waste.
"probably the only thing they do better than the existing flock is being hypocrtical."
So usually people rip Republicans for not caring about the little guy, only caring about business and corporations. Now that they are trying to do something for the little guy and you rip them for that too. And weren't you the one on here complaining that some people complain about the Democrats in both directions?
What were you saying about hypocrisy again?
Posted by: Patrick at April 6, 2010 2:48 PMStuart,
Do you even remotely understand what a tax credit is? Its money that you otherwise would pay to the government numb-nuts! I would like to see all of us get a "tax credit."
But at least these guys are trying to relieve a tax burden - hardly a give-away, fool!
RI bore the brunt of the 200 year flooding but President Obama talked to GOP Gov. Carcieri on the telephone for 6 min it was reported by Projo.com then Obama spent the day in Maine and then in Boston, MA but took a side trip 20 miles west of Boston to MA EMA EOC underground bunker in Framingham to congratulate the state EMA workers for the fine job they did with protecting MA people from the flood.
What did GOP Gov. Carcieri say in those 6 min to the President to make him bypass hardest hit NE state RI?
I guess GOP Gov. Carcieri might have invited the President to visit him in Florida at his condo because that was where he was heading for Easter vacation as reported by ProJo.com while everyone else in RI wallowed under water!
In cases of State of RI emergencies how many time has GOP Gov. Carcieri been or retreated to his condo in Florida (2, 3 or more times)?