May 09, 2012 Submitted by Kate Brewster, May 8, 2012 Thank you Chairman and members of the committee for holding this important hearing today.  The bills before you introduced by Representative Tanzi would provide basic, fundamental tools for policymakers and taxpayers to be able to evaluate the effectiveness and efficiency of the 227 tax credits, deductions, and exemptions contained in …

April 23, 2012 Raising Revenue on High-Income Households in Rhode Island Rhode Island’s recovery and future competiveness depend on our ability to educate our current and future workers through strong schools, affordable higher education, and effective job training. In addition, businesses want to grow jobs in communities that are safe, have sturdy roads and bridges, and offer an overall good …

May 09, 2012 Submitted by Kate Brewster, April 24, 2012 The Economic Progress Institute supports revising the personal income tax to add a new  bracket, with a higher tax rate, for upper-income households.  This would improve the equity and adequacy of the personal income tax, generating new revenue to invest in programs and infrastructure to move our economy forward. Adding …

March 07, 2012 Rhode Island must continue to update its out of-date sales tax to be able to make investments in education, public safety, transportation and the other services that are necessary to build a strong economy. Rhode Island continues to have one of the most narrow sales tax bases in the country due in part to the large number …

March 07, 2012 In recent years following the Great Recession, states have responded to the collapse in tax revenue by turning to tax increases on high-income households. The substantial revenue collected as a result can help sustain vital public services, including education, public safety, and infrastructure. Such proposals are being considered in Rhode Island, where a significant number of lawmakers …

June 06, 2011 Rhode Island needs a balanced approach to addressing the state’s budget shortfall by including proposals that would raise revenue and not just cut spending.  Three of the largest sources of state revenue – personal income, sales, and business taxes – could be modified to improve the sustainability and adequacy of our state’s tax structure. Read Resuscitating Revenues (PDF)

April 11, 2011 Governor Chafee’s proposal to shut down corporate loopholes and eliminate unnecessary tax credit programs for only a handful of companies is a step in the right direction towards leveling the playing field between large and small businesses and improving the state’s long-term fiscal health. Tax Facts Corporate Tax Reform 2011 (PDF, 390KB)

April 01, 2011 Written by the Political Economy Research Institute Rhode Island shouldn’t worry that higher taxes will drive people away, but how it spends its tax revenue appears to affect the likelihood that people will move here. Employment opportunities, a low incidence of crime, and affordable housing go hand in hand with greater inward migration, according to a study by the …

Tax expenditures result in very large revenue losses to the state.  Over the years, Rhode Island has given up billions of dollars in potential tax revenue through tax expenditures. Every other year, tax expenditures result in very large revenue losses to Rhode Island…tax expenditures cost the state at least $1.67 billion in lost revenue in 2008. Rhode Island Department of …