Campaign Update - Democratic Party Calls on King to Pay Back Taxes to Florida
Wednesday, September 08, 2010
With the primary less than a week away, campaign 2010 is in full swing. Yesterday saw the release of at least four new campaign ads, and accusations of impropriety and unethical behavior against two candidates—one Democrat, one Republican—for statewide office.
Democratic Party Calls on King to Pay Back Taxes to Florida
The state Democratic Party yesterday called on Republican General Treasurer candidate Kerry King to pay back taxes to the state of Florida after a news report that King had been collecting tax exemptions on his Sarasota County home eligible for only Florida residents.
GET THE LATEST BREAKING NEWS HERE -- SIGN UP FOR GOLOCAL FREE DAILY EBLAST“Kerry King’s memory lapse regarding his state of residency has raised questions and he owes the taxpayers of Rhode Island answers,” said party chairman Ed Pacheco. “King immediately should correct misrepresentation to Florida authorities. He should then pay the more than $5,000 in back taxes, interest and penalties owed since he registered to vote in Rhode Island in 2005.”
“Graduating from a local high school and enjoying lemonade and milk shakes are not the only criteria for Rhode Island residency. Rhode Islanders want to elect honest leaders who are committed to being responsible citizens of the state,” Pacheco added.
The King campaign declined to respond in time for publication.
RI GOP Calls Chafee, Caprio ‘Wonder Twins’
The state Republican Party yesterday called Democrat Frank Caprio and independent Lincoln Chafee the “Wonder Twins,” saying the two will both raise taxes. The GOP said Caprio voted to make the “temporary” 7 percent sales tax permanent as a state rep in 1991 and voted to tax patent medicine and custom computer software in 1992. Chafee, on the other hand, raised property taxes four years in a row as Warwick mayor, according to the GOP.
"This State needs to reduce its government spending, not increase its taxes,” the party concluded in its statement. “Both Mr. Caprio and Mr. Chafee have raised taxes. As always, the choice is clear – pick one of the Wonder Twins and they’ll pick your pocket – vote for John Robitaille and you’ll have more money in hand for you and your family to spend as you choose.”
Caprio spokesman Nick Hemond said the 1991 sales tax was used to fund relief for 100,000 Rhode Island families who were locked out of their savings and checking accounts because of the credit union crisis. “Today we pay enough in taxes,” Hemond added.
The Chafee campaign was not immediately available for comment.
Taylor Promises to Put General Assembly Votes Online
Secretary of State candidate Catherine Taylor said she would post the General Assembly’s votes online if she is elected.
“Rhode Island is the only state in the nation that does not put its legislators’ votes online in a searchable database. If voters want to learn about their State Senator or State Representative’s vote on a particular bill, or view their complete OFFICIAL voting record, they must travel to the State Capitol and look up the votes in the legislative journal,” said Taylor, a Republican.
“As the Chief Election Officer and the government official responsible for the State Library, the Secretary of State has an obligation to ensure that voters are provided with this information in a timely and easily accessible fashion,” she added.
Moffitt Releases TV Ad
Republican gubernatorial candidate Victor Moffitt on Monday released a new TV ad that touts his plans for building an aquarium, expanding the small business loan fund, and reducing the state sales tax. “Elect Moffitt… you will profit. Together we can make Rhode Island a state we’re proud to call home, the announcer states at the end. Click here to view the ad.
New Chafee Ad Focuses on Economic Development, Corruption
Independent candidate for governor Lincoln Chafee released a new campaign ad yesterday that highlights his plan to balance the budget and utilize the state existing assets to boost economic growth. In the ad, Chafee also blames the state’s culture of “cronyism and corruption” for its economic slump.
New Caprio Ad Targets Chafee
Democrat Frank Caprio unleashed one of the first negative ads of the gubernatorial campaign yesterday, criticizing Chafee for his plan to impose a sales tax on groceries, clothes, and prescription drugs. Caprio said the new taxes would affect those who could least afford it. “He may not feel it, but we sure do. Lincoln Chafee just doesn’t get it,” the announcer concludes at the end of the ad. Click here to the view the ad.
Dennigan Announces Plan to Invest $200M in Biosciences, Manufacturing
Democratic Congressional candidate Betsy Dennigan yesterday announced a plan to spend $200 million on the biosciences and manufacturing to create jobs. Dennigan, who is running against incumbent Jim Langevin for the Second District seat, also proposed consolidating some of the 340 federal economic development programs. The savings by cutting duplicative administrative costs would fund her plan, according to her campaign.
“With a 12 percent unemployment rate in Rhode Island, it is imperative that we target specific job creation for Rhode Islanders,” Dennigan said. “The bioscience industry with the aid of the R&D tax credit is a crucial tool we can use to bring more well paid jobs to Rhode Island.”
Cicilline Releases New Ad
First District Congressional candidate David Cicilline released his latest ad, “Fight,” yesterday. The ad focuses on his efforts to protect homeowners from foreclosures and his opposition to Wall Street bank bailouts, off-shore drilling, and LNG tankers in Mount Hope Bay. Click here to view the ad.
Business Leaders Endorse Costantino
Steven Costantino has been endorsed by several business leaders in his run for Providence mayor, his campaign announced yesterday, citing his plan for job creation as one of the main reasons for the endorsement.
Those endorsing Costantino included: Paul Choquette, vice chairman, Gilbane Inc.; Ed Cooney, past chair of the Providence Chamber of Commerce and vice president of Nortek; Steven Lane, CEO, Ximedica; Michael Caparco, CEO, CAPCO Steel Corporation; and, Derek Wagner, owner, Nick's on Broadway.
“Steven has already begun his work, standing side-by-side with businesses in this city to access capital and expand our critical workforce,” Choquette said. “Our city needs a mayor that has a comprehensive and realistic plan to grow our city's economy. Steven has developed a concrete, implementable strategy and he possesses the know-how we need to make sure Providence is positioned to take advantage of the future recovery.”
Loughlin Criticizes New Obama Stimulus Plan
Republican Congressional candidate John Loughlin criticized President Obama’s plan for a new $50 million economic stimulus plan.
“President Obama’s new $50 billion stimulus proposal shows just how incapable this administration is of managing our economic recovery,” said Loughlin, who is running for the First District seat. “At a time when the American people are up in arms over out-of-control spending and high taxation in Washington, President Obama and the Democrats have proposed to spend more money and raise taxes. The idea that a government can grow the economy and create jobs through more spending and higher taxes has been proven not to work.”
Loughlin said tax cuts would be a better way to create jobs.
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