State Senator Calls on Bryant University to Pay its Fair Share
Wednesday, December 26, 2012
Retiring State Senator John Tassoni is calling on Bryant University to show the same commitment to the tow of Smithfield that nonprofit institutions have shown to Providence over the last year.
“With Providence College announcing its plan to pay the City of Providence nearly $4 million over the next 10 years, all the colleges in Providence have now acknowledged that, although they are tax-exempt institutions, they owe their host city for the services it provides and that they are part of the equation to help Providence face its fiscal problems,” Tassoni said. “Bryant University has not shown the same consideration to Smithfield.”
Providence College became the final major college or hospital to reach a deal with the city of Providence last week. In all, the city will receive nearly $48 million in payments in lieu of taxes from its nonprofits over the next 11 years.GET THE LATEST BREAKING NEWS HERE -- SIGN UP FOR GOLOCAL FREE DAILY EBLAST
Tassoni said he has been calling on Bryant to reach a similar agreement over the past six years.
“While I have the utmost respect for Bryant as an educational institution, and while I know the town is pleased to have a facility like this in the community, it does not seem right that a property owner exempt from what would be millions of dollars in taxes does not feel it needs to do its fair share to help the town, to show some appreciation for the services it receives from the community,” Tassoni said.
Bryant has consistently argued that, like other institutions such as hospitals, it deserves its tax exempt status because its presence benefits the community, in addition to generating good jobs and stimulating the local economy. Town officials indicated some years ago that an annual tax bill for Bryant would be more than $1.5 million.
Six years ago, Tassoni and other local legislators introduced a bill that would have subjected the university to property taxes comparable to other businesses and institutions in the town. Four years ago, Senator Tassoni proposed, at the request of the Smithfield Town Council, legislation to assess Bryant a per-student municipal services fee. Neither bill passed the Assembly.
“It is just not right for Bryant not to contribute something to the town, and it is especially glaring in light of the fact that all the institutions of higher learning in Providence have acknowledged their responsibility to their community by agreeing to pay something,” he said.
Senator Tassoni said he has spoken with Rep. Thomas Winfield (D-Dist. 53, Smithfield, Glocester), Senator-elect Stephen R. Archambault (D-Dist. 22, Smithfield, North Providence, Johnston) and Representative-elect Gregory J. Costantino (D-Dist. 44, Smithfield, Lincoln, Johnston), who all support his call for Bryant to help their community.
“Smithfield may not be facing the depth of the fiscal problems that Providence has, but as a ‘resident’ of the town, Bryant should be willing to do its fair share,” he said.
