Taxation

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…

With the growing stack of tax-raising bills, it’s good to know that the General Assembly will at least have to address a different approach (emphasis added) In an effort to bring some much needed tax relief to Rhode Islanders, while generating revenue in this era of hundred million dollar budget deficits, Representative Victor Moffitt (R-Dist.…

A small but annoying point. This is a link to a Rhode Island craigslist posting which reads: I wonder how many people go and get the free monthly bus passes with their medical assistance card and turn around and sell them???? In the past few days I’ve noticed people selling them on here….kinda makes you…

“Our People are Taxed Too Highly.” So said Governor Donald Carcieri during his post State of the State media rounds. And – drum roll, please – the Tax Foundation concurs. For the third year in a row, they ranked Rhode Island fourth highest taxed, state and local combined. Data source of the Tax Foundation’s analysis:…

Not to darken your day, but the latest bit of bad news brought to Rhode Islanders by Providence Journal business writer John Kostrzewa comes with a very important point: When cities and towns do revaluations required under state law, they will find the total value of their residential property has probably declined. With a lower…

To close the half billion dollar operating deficit and back Rhode Island down from its ranking as the seventh highest taxed state, the focus must be on state spending which is funded by General Revenues – state income tax, lottery proceeds, business tax, gas tax, sales tax. Out of the 2007 state budget of $7,000,000,000,…