State of Rhode Island Archives: on Tax Reform
Barry Hinckley:
Lower rates for families, lower rates for businesses
When it came to taxes, both men agreed the Country's tax code was broken. However, they differed on how to go about fixing it. "Our tax system is a nightmare right now. CVS pays a full 35 percent tax rate. But, companies like Carnival Cruises pay zero.
It makes no sense," Whitehouse said. "We need a fairer and simpler tax code, but it can't put more of a burden on the middle class."When asked about the 9-9-9 plan proposed by former presidential candidate Herman Cain, Hinckley said at least it's a
new idea. "Our current tax code is four million words long. We need a new tax code to compete in the 21st century," Hinckley said. "We need lower rates for families, lower rates for businesses."
Whitehouse said Cain's plan, which called for
nine percent income tax, nine percent capital gains tax and nine percent sales tax, would shift the tax burden to the middle class. "It's not a fresh idea, it's a lousy idea," Whitehouse said.
Source: WPRI Eyewitness News on 2012 R.I. Senate debate
Oct 23, 2012
Carl Sheeler:
Property taxes are regressive
Indicate which principles you support regarding taxes. - Q: Should Internet sales be taxed?
A: No. - Q: Do you support an expansion of casino gambling in Rhode Island?
A: No. -
Sheeler adds, “Property taxes are regressive and should be adjusted to approved local expenditures; large corporate and special interest tax loop holes closed; increased taxes for $200,000+ households ”
Source: 2004 R.I. Gubernatorial National Political Awareness Test
Nov 7, 2004
Mark Zaccaria:
Eliminate the estate tax; cut spending to match tax cuts
Q: Do you support the elimination of the federal estate tax?A: Yes.
Q: Do you support requiring the federal budget to be balanced each year?
A: Yes.
Zaccaria adds, "Fees and taxes for income purposes
should also be dramatically reduced, with the possible exception of Customs Duties. We should compensate for any revenue reductions that result from this policy by aggressively lowering expenditures."
Source: R.I. Congressional 2010 PVS Political Courage Test
Nov 1, 2010
Patricia Morgan:
Rhode Islanders relocate to avoid the confiscatory death tax
Rhode Islanders face the third highest estate tax burden in the United States, and many successful Rhode Islanders relocate elsewhere to avoid this confiscatory death tax, thus depriving the state of income and sales taxes
and other economic benefits. In an effort to mitigate this situation, Patricia has annually sponsored legislation since 2011 that would raise the estate tax exemption in parallel to federal law for both small businesses and individuals.
Source: 2018 R.I. Gubernatorial campaign website PatriciaForRI.com
Mar 21, 2018
Sheldon Whitehouse:
Tax code is broken, but flat tax is a lousy idea
When it came to taxes, both men agreed the Country's tax code was broken. However, they differed on how to go about fixing it. "Our tax system is a nightmare right now. CVS pays a full 35 percent tax rate. But, companies like Carnival Cruises pay zero.
It makes no sense," Whitehouse said. "We need a fairer and simpler tax code, but it can't put more of a burden on the middle class."When asked about the 9-9-9 plan proposed by former presidential candidate Herman Cain, Hinckley said at least it's a
new idea. "Our current tax code is four million words long. We need a new tax code to compete in the 21st century," Hinckley said. "We need lower rates for families, lower rates for businesses."
Whitehouse said Cain's plan, which called for
nine percent income tax, nine percent capital gains tax and nine percent sales tax, would shift the tax burden to the middle class. "It's not a fresh idea, it's a lousy idea," Whitehouse said.
Source: WPRI Eyewitness News on 2012 R.I. Senate debate
Oct 23, 2012
Sheldon Whitehouse:
$2T in new revenues, and $2T in cuts, to balance budget
Whitehouse slammed the debt reduction plan proposed in the House by Vice Presidential candidate, Rep. Paul Ryan. "The Ryan budget is disastrous," said Whitehouse, who maintained it balanced the budget on the backs of middle-class
Americans, while shielding the rich. When asked what measures he would support, Whitehouse said eliminating $4 trillion over the next 10 years; with $2 trillion in cuts and $2 trillion in revenues, or tax increases. "Republicans have not identified one
single loophole in the tax code they would get rid of," Whitehouse said.Hinckley then criticized Whitehouse for being partisan. "How do you come to the middle when you vote with your leadership 96% of the time. If you don't like it, mark it up and
send it back. This is an all-hands-on-deck situation." Hinckley then criticized the Bush and Obama administrations, calling them both "train wrecks." "My children are going to have to pay this back," he said.
Source: WPRI Eyewitness News on 2012 R.I. Senate debate
Oct 23, 2012
Stephen Laffey:
Tax cuts are good for America
Q: How do you reconcile that you will not as a Senator vote to raise taxes? A: Nobody made any promises but we were forced to raise taxes. When I took over as mayor of Cranston, we were 30 days on defaulting in debt, missing payroll, on and on and on.
We did, we put in a supplemental tax in the first couple of weeks. I believe the tax cuts have been good. Proof is in the pudding. Revenue to the federal treasury in the past two years is up 12% to 14% or $500 billion. The tax cuts are good for America.
Source: 2006 R.I. Republican Senate Primary debate on WPRI
Aug 24, 2006
Helena Foulkes:
$500 tax cut for anyone earning less than $100,000
As Rhode Islanders feel increasingly priced out of our state due to record inflation and the rising costs of childcare, housing and gas, Helena has called on
Governor McKee to use a portion of the state's budget surplus to give a $500 tax cut to anyone earning less than $100,000. The tax credit would benefit more than 400,000 Rhode Island earners.
Source: 2022 R.I. Gubernatorial campaign website HelenaFoulkes.com
Oct 3, 2022
Dan McKee:
Reduce the corporate minimum tax from $400 to $350
Rhode Island is the small business state. I know that, not only as Governor, but as a former small business owner. That's why one of my top priorities is making Rhode Island a better place to do business. The budget I'll send to the
General Assembly this week will keep that progress going.I will call for reducing the corporate minimum tax from $400 to $350--this tax impacts our state's smallest businesses the most. Let's give them more relief.
Source: 2024 State of the State Address to the R.I. legislature
Jan 17, 2024
Page last updated: Feb 07, 2026