Taxation
When it so happens that the powers that be seem intent on acting in opposition to crystal clear reality, citizens are compelled to act. In Rhode Island, there’s hope — or, in any case, we’ve hope — that plain information will serve to stop the tides, because it is in the universal self-interest to do…
With a hat tip to Dan Yorke, below are some of the new things that will now fall under the expanded sales tax being proposed by the tax-and-spenders in our Legislature, under the, ahem, “ECONOMIC GROWTH AND FAIRNESS ACT OF 2008”. Oh sure, there is this….. Commencing on January 1, 2010, the rate shall be…
Both the Providence Journal and A.R. commenter Ken have erroneously amplified the amount of power the Executive Branch possesses over the state budget – more specifically, its control of the amount of local aid that will be disbursed from state coffers. This week in an article about current events in Woonsocket, the Providence Journal asserted:…
A Sakonnet Times story that does not appear to be online confirms my suspicions: Tiverton’s going to raise my taxes even more than the previously suggested maximum. Apparently, “the big jump is in the debt service on school bonds” (a 45% increase), followed by an estimated 3.2% increase for the school district. Of course, Rhode…
The problems with it are manifold (some enunciated in the comments section), but Tom Sgouros’s analysis of property taxes brings to light an interesting conceptual matter: However, consider the question, “how much property tax do the richest 11,900 people in Rhode Island pay?” With the data I have, I can’t say for sure, but I…
It was a minor thing, but I opted for a detour, on my way through Newport after work, yesterday, to avoid some movie filming off Bellevue, and it seemed parking in the neighborhood was somewhat more tight than usual. I can well imagine, that is to say, how the Hollywoodsters could disrupt a town for…
Further to the remarks (the gift that keeps on giving) of Senator Stephen Alves at the Greater Providence Chamber of Commerce’s legislative lunch last week – specifically: “I think we have been fair to the business community,” Alves, D-West Warwick, said. “The pain should be shared equally.” Gosh, that sounds good in theory. The hitch…
Effectively, for nine out of ten corporations. Source: Senator Steve Alves. Let’s remember that the corporate tax (already $500 per year) is assessed regardless of profit generated by that corporation. If the corporation lost money, this tax must still be paid. So if, as Senator Alves asserts, 94% of corporations in Rhode Island are paying…
Just a quick correction to letter to the Providence Journal refuting Crowley’s refutation of me: [Crowley] notes that cash handouts claim a small percentage of total state spending. This is among the Poverty Institute’s favorite talking points. He notes that such handouts are also a small percentage of our welfare system. That last sentence shouldn’t…
Though not always asked in the friendliest of tones, this is a good question. And the answer is: quite a bit. Renamed “Fiscal Fitness” (not to be confused with the Governor’s anti-donut “Healthy Weight in 2008” initiative), $279,000,000 was found and saved and the program has not closed up shop. Some highlights of the 279…