City and Brown Square Off on Property Tax Battle
Thursday, January 12, 2012
Carrying signs that read “pay your fair share,” “can you spare a dime of your $2.5 billion” and “King George says it’s okay to help,” dozens of Providence firefighters, police officers, activists and City Council members rallied outside Hemenway’s on South Main Street to call on Brown University to pay more in taxes to the cash-strapped city.
The protest occurred with Brown University President Ruth inside the building – a property Brown owns and pays taxes on – addressed members of the Providence Foundation at the organization’s annual meeting.
“It’s time for Brown and all the nonprofits to pay their fair share,” Councilman Michael Correia said. “If they’re going to use our services, they should pay taxes.”
GET THE LATEST BREAKING NEWS HERE -- SIGN UP FOR GOLOCAL FREE DAILY EBLASTBrown Spokesperson: “We Seek to be Part of the Solution”
According to Brown University spokesperson Marisa Quinn, the university paid a total of $4 million in voluntary payments and property taxes to the city in 2011. In a news release, Quinn cited a 2003 memorandum of understanding (MOU) signed by all of the private colleges and universities with the city that will give the city nearly $50 million in voluntary payments.
But Quinn also said the University has been willing to offer more.
“We understand and appreciate the fiscal challenges facing the city and the difficult choices facing the mayor,” she said. “We seek to be part of the solution, and offered Mayor Taveras a plan to enhance the $4 million in direct payments we already make annually to the city by providing an additional $10 million over five years to support the schools.”
Councilman: “Let them Go”
Still others question the University’s commitment to helping the city. As GoLocalProv first reported this week, the University reneged on an agreement that would have guaranteed the city about $4 million per year in payments in lieu of taxes.
Providence firefighter Joe Moreino said he’s had enough with Brown.
“They’re not a good neighbor,” Moreino said. “It’s time for Brown to pay up. This is an institution that was built on slavery and they need pay their fair share now. The city asked us to give and give and give and now it’s time for Brown to give something up.”
Councilman Nick Narducci said the city has been forced to go after people by raising property taxes changing the car tax exemption, but Brown has been able to skate by without offering any more help for the struggling city.
“They’re gotten a free ride all these years,” he said. “No more. If Brown wants to leave the city, good, we’ll find someone that will pay taxes. Let them go.”
They Don’t Want us Protesting Commencement
Although Quinn said the University is willing to do more for the city, she also explained that Brown an economic engine for Providence.
“Brown University is committed to the success of Providence and Rhode Island,” she said. “Every day, Brown, together with the other colleges and universities in Providence, makes significant economic, educational, social, and cultural contributions to our city and state. Brown directly employs thousands of Rhode Islanders — 1,400 of whom live in Providence — and employs thousands more indirectly through construction, purchasing, and start-up companies launched by students, faculty and alumni. Our students, faculty, and staff are engaged in efforts to strengthen the community, particularly the Providence public schools.”
But most of the protesters said it’s time for the University to do more for the city.
Correia said he hopes an agreement is reached soon because the protesters aren’t going away.
“I hope this is a final push and an agreement is reached,” he said. “Because Brown University doesn’t want thousands of protesters showing up at their commencement.”
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