Providence, RI - Already hemorrhaging people and wealth because of its existing harsh business climate, Rhode Islanders cannot afford additional taxes of any kind to try to plug massive projected budget deficits. As the state's premiere advocacy organization for pro-growth economic policies, the RI Center for Freedom & Prosperity today launched a counter-campaign
to the government-union led effort to raise taxes in the state.
The campaign, #RaiseSailsNotTaxes, reminds lawmakers that raising taxes during an economic crisis will lead to even more job losses, more business closings, more out-migration, a slower and longer economic recovery … and more poverty.
Conversely, Rhode Islanders can look to a more prosperous future if lawmakers instead take the wiser path of reducing spending, as most families and businesses have been forced to do due to the government-mandated shuttering of our economy.
Only with more and better jobs created by more and better
companies can more Ocean Staters can enjoy a better quality of life, perhaps
even able to own a sail-boat.
Rhode Islanders can learn more about the benefits of a
free-market economy and can take action at the website: www.RaiseSailsNotTaxes.com .
With the worst business climate in America, pre-pandemic
Rhode Island was already suffering a chronic relative loss of population, below
average jobs recovery, and stagnant economic growth due to excessively high
taxes and regulations. Our state is now among the hardest-hit states when it comes
to unemployment and GDP loss, post-pandemic.
“How tone-deaf can the political class be? We have been
crushed by this pandemic in so many ways, and now they want to stomp
government’s boot even harder upon our backs,” questioned Mike Stenhouse,
the Center’s CEO. “It’s time for government to live within its means, just like
we all had to.”
Facing a near-billion dollar revenue shortfall for 2020 and
2021, government unions along with left-wing advocacy groups and progressive
lawmakers, have put forth a bevy of proposals to increase debt and to impose
new or higher taxes and fees on a dizzying array of products and services,
including:
- The re-imposition of sales taxes on wine and
liquor
- A carbon tax that would raise the price of
gasoline, home heating fuel, and propane products
- A TCI Gas Tax that would add a further 17-24
cents per gallon
- Close to one BILLION dollars in new bonded debt,
that will force general tax hikes upon all of us today, and also upon our
children and grandchildren in the future
- A new tax on high-income earners, which will
reduce business investment and drive more people out of our state
- A halt to the car-tax phase-out
- New taxes on deliveries
- Increased building and permit fees
- New taxes on hunting, fishing, and recreational
shooting
Two of the Center’s coalition partners,
The Gaspee Project and the Gaspee Business Network are offering
action items for lawmakers and voters. Gaspee is tracking all 2020 General
Assembly and federal candidates who promise not to support tax hikes by taking
the Taxpayer PROTECTION Pledge. GBN is hosting the Taxpayer
ELECTION Pledge, where voters promise to support candidates who oppose
tax increases. All citizens are encouraged to take the pledge.
“Political leaders have made no signal that they are
preparing to face reality, instead they hope and pray that the federal
government will bail them out. Worse, unless citizens and employers step up and
take action … in addition to tax and fee increases, these politicians, unbelievably, are suggesting
massive new bonds to keep status quo spending levels and to fund special new projects that will dive our state into even
deeper debt,” warned Stenhouse.
If your association, chamber, or business group would like
to be listed as a coalition partner, please send an email from your org’s email
address to: info@rifreedom.org or call
401-429-6115.
