February 14, 2011
Bills Introduced to the Rhode Island Senate (Finance Committee), February 8-10
Carroll Andrew Morse
Significant Rewrites with Statewide Impact
| S0195 | Provides for biannual budgeting, two new committees in each chamber with budgetary duties, new legislative staff for reviewing the budget, and changes in the Governor's role in budgeting. |
Targeted Changes with Statewide Impact
| S0189 | Makes an additional 2% bonus, on top of the calculated amount for regional school districts, a permanent part of the state education aid "funding formula". Companion to H5246 |
| S0190 | Applies the same sales-tax exemptions to pickup trucks under 10,000 lbs that are applied to automobiles. Companion to H5250 |
| S0191 | From the official description: "This act would increase the refundable state earned income credit from fifteen percent (15%) to one hundred percent (100%)". |
| S0192 | Authorizes the town of Coventry to issue bonds "to pay the uninsured portion of any [non-pension related] court judgment or settlement". Companion to H5233 |
| S0193 | Business tax changes (to be discussed more, stay tuned). |
| S0194 | Would allow municipalities to tax "real and personal property" of colleges and universities within their borders. |
| S0196 | From the official description: "This act would subject the recording of attachments, executions and mechanics' liens to a $4.00 surcharge for the benefit of the Rhode Island Historical Records Trust". |
| S0197 | "Senators, representatives and general office holders shall contribute twenty percent (20%) towards the premium for health care coverage paid for by the State of Rhode Island". |
| S0198 | Adds an additional 3% income tax on income greater than $500,000. |
| S0199 | Business tax changes (to be discussed more, stay tuned). |