[Summit] FW: Today

Tue May 17 21:51:18 UTC 2011

I am always uncomfortable with these bills that are targeted at individuals
or groups in a seemingly knee-jerk fashion. I haven't liked it when the
state has negotiated tax breaks to specific companies instead of putting
forth general ground rules for economic development and I am equally
concerned about them targeting specific organizations for increased taxes.

On the one hand, it seems reasonable.  On the other hand, these institutions
have been tax exempt for hundreds of years but now, after decades of
corruption and greed, we seek to raise their taxes several hundred percent
to try to fix the problem?  It doesn't seem fair.  Reform how non-profits
are taxed, develop ground rules that apply to all non-profits - perhaps it
is a percentage of the regular tax,  perhaps the use of the various
properties is analyzed and allocated as taxable/non-taxable, the best plan
needs to be worked out.  That would make more sense.

I'm very concerned that Blue Cross gets a pass.  They again have
requested massive
rate increases<http://www.boston.com/news/local/rhode_island/articles/2011/05/17/ri_health_insurers_seek_rate_hikes/>this
year.

So these are desperate times, maybe it makes sense for now, but I think any
bill should sunset in 2 years.

On Tue, May 17, 2011 at 4:46 PM, Jonathan Howard <jon at ceffect.com> wrote:

>  Jeffrey,
> This bill specifically limits itself to “eds and meds.” I don’t think Blue
> Cross does pay property taxes or would under this bill. I agree that Blue
> Cross gets very close to the line between nonprofit and for-profit, but to
> include them would open the door to taxing other more typical nonprofits,
> like the Boy Scouts, the Food Bank, Big Sisters, etc.  Blue Cross needs a
> whole reform movement of its own.
> Jon Howard
>
>
>
> On 5/17/11 4:09 PM, "Jeffrey Cavanaugh" <jeff at cavanaugh.org> wrote:
>
> Is Blue Cross included in the "Meds and Eds" bill?  Do they pay property
> taxes on the shiny new building overlooking Waterplace?
>
> On Tue, May 17, 2011 at 12:31 PM, Jonathan Howard <jon at ceffect.com> wrote:
>
> Hello, neighbors,
>
> Our Mayor and City Council have taken united action to correct unfair,
> illogical subsidies we Providence taxpayers provide for tax-exempt
> organizations, other cities and towns and non-residents. If we can’t fix
> these provisions this year, we probably never will. If you can’t be at the
> State House today, you can still make your views heard using this link:
>
>
> http://citizenspeak.org/campaign/cityofprovidence/support-stronger-providence
>
> Please act today!
>
> Jonathan Howard
>
>
>  *Be There Today, May 17
> at the Senate Finance Hearing *
>
>
>
>
> Join Mayor Angel Taveras and the Providence City Council when they testify
> this afternoon at the State House at a Senate Finance Hearing about 3
> city-sponsored bills that are vital to Providence’s future.  The bills are
> scheduled to be heard at around *4:45pm* in Room 211 in the State House.
> Please come and show your support.
>
>
>
> *
> **Meds and Eds 25% Bill - $24 Million for Taxpayer Relief
> *S-765 – Fogarty, Tassoni
> http://www.rilin.state.ri.us/BillText11/SenateText11/S0765.pdf
> This legislation would require non-profit hospitals and universities to pay
> 25% of the assessed property tax to the city or town in which they reside.
> The total value of hospital and university-owned tax-exempt property in
> Providence is assessed at nearly $3 billion.  The value of the property
> owned by the large non-profits has more than doubled since the start of the
> decade.  The City has provided city services to these institutions without
> asking for payment, passing the costs of delivering these services on to
> homeowners and taxpayers. This is an overwhelming burden for the families
> and small businesses who must fully subsidize the City services that we
> supply. This bill asks the major tax-exempt organizations in Providence to
> contribute their fair share to cover the costs of vital City services, such
> as police, fire, and maintenance of roads and infrastructure.
>
>
> *Fire Hydrant Fairness Act - $1 Million for Taxpayer Relief
> *S-615 – Metts, Perry, Goodwin, Ciccone, Ruggerio
> http://www.rilin.state.ri.us/BillText11/SenateText11/S0615.pdf
> This legislation would allow municipalities to prohibit the charging of
> fire hydrant rental fees to cities and towns by water providers, upon
> passage of an ordinance and notification to the PUC.  This would generate $1
> million annually to Providence as well as significant revenue to other
> municipalities such as Pawtucket and Warwick. The firefighters union has
> joined Public Safety Commission Steven Pare in supporting this bill.
>
> *Fee for Master Alarm Fire Box - $1 Million for Taxpayer Relief
> *S-537 – Pichardo, Ciccone, Jabour, Metts, Perry
> http://www.rilin.state.ri.us/BillText11/SenateText11/S0537.pdf
> This act would allow cities and towns to assess users a reasonable charge
> for use of master alarm fire box systems of the fire departments of the
> cities and towns. Each municipality may define by ordinance who would be
> assessed for the charge.  The firefighters union has joined Public Safety
> Commissioner Steven Pare in supporting this
> bill.
>
>
> If you cannot make it today, please make sure you take our E-Action Alert
> to urge the General Assembly in supporting a Stronger Providence.  Send
> this Alert to your friends, colleagues and contacts!
> http://citizenspeak.org/campaign/cityofprovidence/support-stronger-providence
>
>
>
>
>
>
> Jonathan Howard
> Cause & Effect. Inc.
> 178 Ninth Street,
> Providence, RI 02906
> 401.331.2272
>
> jon at ceffect.com
>
> *Cause & Effect: You can change the world... we can help!
> *
> Download our FREE online Tools for Change:
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>
>
>
>
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