Guns and ammunition tax

Sen. Gayle Goldin and Rep. Maria Cimini introduced legislation on Thursday to institute a 10-percent tax on the sale of guns and ammunition that would raise revenue for anti-violence organizations.

The bill was submitted on behalf of Providence mayoral candidate Brett Smiley, who proposed the tax as part of his “Safest City Plan,” which looks to fight crime and violence in Providence. Smiley estimated it would raise about $2 million annually and likened the idea to the way the tobacco industry is required to pay for public health initiatives

The legislation, which would proportionately divide the revenue among all Rhode Island police departments for distribution to the organizations of the their choice, is meant to provide a dedicated funding stream to organizations that support anti-violence programs, while establishing a connection between them and local police.

“With more than 100 shootings in Providence last year alone, gun violence continues to be a major problem in our city and throughout the state. Yet the many organizations committed to reducing gun violence are consistently underfunded,” said Goldin (D-Dist. 3, Providence). “We know that engaging communities, law enforcement, mental health providers, schools departments, employers, and parents can lead us to a safer society. And safer societies lead to healthier communities, where entrepreneurs start businesses, children play in neighborhood parks, and people walking home from work don’t have to look over their shoulders.”

Increased funding for community senior programs

Rep. K. Joseph Shekarchi has introduced legislation to establish a program of basic community senior services grants to equitably fund community senior centers and other local programs, based on the municipality’s population of non-institutionalized persons 65 and older. The funding would begin at $5 per senior and gradually increasing to $10 per senior by 2020. The formula replaces the current method of distribution of grants, which are basically historically allocated amounts not tied to numbers of older persons in the communities.

“It is in the state’s best interest, and that of our elderly population, that we promote and support local programs providing services to senior citizens, such as community senior centers,” said Shekarchi (D-Dist. 23, Warwick). “These agencies provide outstanding services to our seniors, running meals programs, providing nutritional and health information, and generally helping older Rhode Islanders remain self-sufficient and able to stay in their own homes in their own communities.”

If approved, the budget appropriation for the grant program this year would increase by about $400,000, more than doubling the figure contained in the current budget. Under the formula, several communities, such as Providence, Cranston, Warwick, Pawtucket and Bristol, would actually receive additional funding.

Rhode Island Statewide Planning population projections estimate that the number of older persons in Rhode Island will increase by 46 percent between now and 2025.

To read the bill in its entirety, go here.

Vehicle excise tax change

Sen. Juan M. Pichardo (D-Dist. 2, Providence) has filed a bill that would change the system used to assess used motor vehicles when determining state motor vehicle excise taxes to one based on the average trade-in price, rather than the retail price.

“When we eliminated the reimbursement aid program for the motor vehicle taxes in 2010, we saw a lot more of our less affluent Rhode Islanders paying excise taxes,” Pichardo said. “If we’re going to make people pay this tax, we need to make sure it’s fair for everyone. To me, it doesn’t make a lot of sense to base these taxes on retail values if you would receive less for a trade-in. Feedback from my constituents has also led me to believe that one month is not enough time to appeal an issue with a tax statement. Obviously, I think it’s important to point out that this bill would provide some taxpayer relief in the process, but ultimately, we’re also building a more equitable system.”

Pichardo’s bill (2014-S 2148), if enacted, would also extend the appeal period from 30 to 45 days. The law would take effect on Jan. 3, 2015.

Proposal to lower corporate income tax

State Representative Joseph Trillo (R-Warwick) has filed legislation to reduce the RI corporate income tax rate from its current 9% rate to 7%.          

The 7% rate would place RI in a tie with New York, whose corporate tax rate ranks #25 among U.S. states.

The proposal is the third “Getting To 25” initiative designed to bring Rhode Island back into the mainstream on key measures.

Trillo’s legislation is identical to a reduction proposed by the Governor Lincoln Chafee, except that the Chafee plan is contingent on Congress passing a national sales tax on Internet transactions.

“I hold no expectation that reducing the corporate tax rate alone is going to solve Rhode Island’s economic problems. But as one of a number of small steps that make this state more attractive to companies who bring the jobs and the spending and the additional tax revenue, this is important,” Trillo said.

“I am not alone in believing this is important, he added. “One Democratic Senator has filed a similar proposal in the Senate. Neither of these bills waits for Congress to act, or expect revenue from a law still to be enacted. He believes, as I do, that we must start to take bolder action on the economic front, and this is a good place to start.

A bill to ban former members of Congress from lobbying

In an effort to restore the public’s confidence in government and reduce the influence of special interests in Washington, Congressman David Cicilline reintroduced legislation that would prohibit former members of Congress from becoming lobbyists.  

Under current law, U.S. Senators are precluded from lobbying Members of Congress for two years after leaving office and members of the U.S. House of Representatives are prohibited from the same activity for a period of one year after leaving office. Cicilline’s bill, H.R. 4014, would greatly expand the scope of current law – instituting a lifetime ban on former Members of Congress, both Senators and Representatives, from engaging in lobbying contacts with covered executive branch officials, or any Member, officer, or employee of either House of Congress.  

“People should be motivated to run for office because they believe in public service not because they expect a big payoff when the leave office,” said Cicilline. “This ban will ensure that our elected representatives will make decisions in the best interests of their constituents instead of making decisions which could pay dividends for them outside of Congress.” 

Penalties for violations under Cicilline’s legislation, would remain the same as current law, which exacts a fine of up to $50,000 and/or imprisonment of not more than one year.