RI State Report: Marriage Equality + Tax Hikes On The Rich
Saturday, May 04, 2013
This week’s State Report centers on the House’s historic final passage of same-sex marriage legislation, which will allow gay and lesbian couples to legally marry in Rhode Island. Aside from gay marriage legislation, we’ll examine the House’s passage of two key early voting bills, which will surely impact the state’s 2014 election. Also on the docket are a series of new bills addressing veterans’ affairs, tax equity and public utility costs.
Gay Marriage bill becomes law
Hundreds gathered in the State House on Thursday as Gov. Lincoln Chafee signed legislation allowing gay and lesbian couples to marry, making Rhode Island the 10th state in the country to legalize same-sex marriage. The governor signed the measure into law shortly after a 56-15 House vote.
“This is a great day in Rhode Island, not just for the many Rhode Island families who will now get the recognition and equality that they so richly deserve, and not only for the thousands who have been fighting for decades for the dignity and rights of all citizens. It is also a wonderful day for the generations of future Rhode Islanders who may never know a time when some people didn’t have all the same rights as others, and who hopefully will grow up wondering how on earth that ever could have been the law,” said House Speaker Gordon D. Fox, the first openly gay House Speaker in the country.
GET THE LATEST BREAKING NEWS HERE -- SIGN UP FOR GOLOCAL FREE DAILY EBLASTThe legislation, sponsored by Rep. Arthur Handy and Sen. Donna M. Nesselbush, removes gender-specific language from the section of the general laws governing eligibility for marriage. In its place, it inserts language allowing any person to marry and other eligible person, regardless of gender.
“There have been so many words spoken about the importance of this legislation. Seventeen years worth of hearings. Seventeen years worth of stories from our friends, and neighbors, and family members, and constituents, talking about their lives, hopes, dreams, and love for their children or their partners. Today, at last, we can say that our state recognizes the validity of all of those stories, and the dignity, worth and love of all Rhode Island families,” said Handy.
The bill, which goes into effect on Aug. 1, contains provisions protecting freedom of religion, guaranteeing the rights of religious institutions to establish their own guidelines for marriage eligibility.
A September poll conducted by WPRI found that 56 percent of Rhode Islanders support gay marriage, while only 36 percent oppose it.
House passes two early voting bills
On Wednesday, the House passed two bills sponsored by Rep. Marvin L. Abney that would remove the requirement that voters provide an explanation when applying for an emergency mail ballot.
“During the last days before an election, any number of circumstances could come up that might force someone to apply for an emergency mail ballot, and right now the requirements for an excuse are too restrictive,” said Abney. “Expanding the emergency mail ballot system will help ensure that every registered voter gets the chance to cast a ballot.”
Abney’s bills, (2013-H5567, 2013-H5568) would allow any registered voters to obtain an emergency mail ballot without providing a reason for doing so or specifying why the emergency arose within 20 days of the election.
Rhode Island is currently one of 21 states that are considered “excuse-required” states; meaning voters must provide a valid reason or excuse when applying for an emergency mail ballot. Should Abney’s bills be signed into law, the state would join 27 states and the District of Columbia as a “no-excuse” state.
Senate approves bill looking to help Rhode Island’s veterans
In an effort to address the needs of Rhode Island’s veterans, the senate unamiously approved legislation on Wednesday to create an advisory committee that will establish a statewide Veterans’ Services Strategic Plan (VSSP).
“Our state agencies must work together more effectively to coordinate and enhance existing state, federal and private services to meet the needs of Rhode Island veterans and their families,” said the bill’s sponsor Sen. Walter S. Felag Jr. “We owe an extraordinary debt to those who have served in our nation’s military and defended our freedoms. We cannot do enough to recognize the unique asset veterans are to our state’s economy.”
The legislation, (2013- S0479A), creates a 13-member advisory committee tasked with developing, maintaining and annually updating a five-year plan that includes goals and quantifiable outcomes to ensure that all governmental departments provide adequate support for veterans and their families.
Under the bill, the VSSP panel would be composed of representatives of the Division of Veterans’ Affairs; Department of Human Services; Division of Planning; Board of Education; Department of Behavioral Healthcare, Developmental Disabilities and Hospitals; Department of Health; Division of Elderly Affairs; Department of Business Regulation; Office of the Attorney General; Department of Labor and Training; Economic Development Corporation; Department of Education, and Office of the Secretary of State.
The bill will now make its way to House of Representatives for consideration.
Valencia introduces tax equity bill
A new bill introduced by Rep. Larry Valencia is calling on Rhode Island’s top earners to pay their fair share.
“For almost 10 years, the burden has only trickled down on working families,” Valencia said. “We have seen increases in property and car taxes, which largely affect a bulk of the state’s most vulnerable population. Additionally, we’ve seen cities and towns cut essential programs and staff, making the lives of our constituents more difficult. We need everyone to contribute, not just small businesses, the middle class, the elderly and the poor.”
The legislation, (2013-H5805), would raise the state income tax’s top level for upper income earners to 10 percent. Specifically, the bill would require individuals 4 cents on every dollar of income earned above $200,000 and married couples to pay the same on income more than $250,000.
“This bill is not out to punish the successful in Rhode Island–it simply corrects the current imbalance of tax burden that has been placed on working families and small businesses with a fair and modest solution, while also addressing Rhode Island’s revenue crisis,” Valencia said.
According to Valenicia, this “shared sacrifice” would help fund public schools, provide affordable higher education, increase workforce development, assist seniors and those with disabilities, as well as improve the state’s infrastructure.
This is the third year that Valencia has introduced the tax equity bill.
Ruggiero bill lets municipalities purchase their streetlights to save money
Cities and towns would be able to save money by purchasing and maintaining their own streetlights, this according to a new bill sponsored by Rep. Deborah Ruggiero.
“Streetlights are an important but expensive public safety resource because cities and towns don’t own the light fixtures yet they’re mandated to pay to light the roads without any state reimbursement. Across Rhode Island, more than $14 million a year is spent on streetlight services. This program would save cities and towns money and allow energy efficient technology for streetlights, like LED light, to reduce power and maintenance expenses,” said Ruggiero.
Ruggiero’s bill, (2013-H5935) would allow cities and towns to buy and maintain the streetlights for cost control purposes. According to the proposal, the power company would sell the lights to municipalities at a price equal to their cost minus depreciation.
Rhode Island’s streetlights are currently owned and maintained by the electric utility serving the area, which in most cases is National Grid. The electric company bills municipalities for street lighting at a standard rate set by the Public Utilities Commission.
National Grid supports the legislation stating that eliminating streetlight maintenance would allow them to focus on its primary objective of distributing power to its customers.
Massachusetts and Connecticut have passed similar laws, with Massachusetts saving between 15 and 70 percent of their streetlight expenses.
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