| Feb. 2010 Legislative Initiatives |
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ECONOMY H-7082 Sponsor, Student Tax Credit – The best way to increase job creation is to cultivate the workforce of the future. This legislation provides a tax break for those attending higher education making college more affordable for working families. 2009 and 2010 Legislative Sessions. H-7149 Sponsor, Flat Tax Repeal Replaced with Small Business Tax Credit – Currently 1800 non-RI residents who make $300,000 receive a tax break. The policy has generated no new jobs and costs the State $30,000,000 per year. This proposal would eliminate the flat tax and replace it with a tax break for small business owners. The new incentive would provide Employers with a $3,500 to add a full time employee or part-time employee and maintain their employment for at least one year. 2009 and 2010 Legislative Sessions. A similar idea has been included in the Governor’s FY2011 budget. H-7150 Sponsor, Economic Growth Policy for Cities and Towns. Due to an overlooked portion of RI General Law (44-5) local cities and towns have no incentive to increase economic growth. This bill would allow cities or towns that experience growth in their tax base as the result of major new construction to increase revenue without any new taxes. 2009 and 2010 Legislative Sessions.
Member of the Joint Committee to Study Economic Development of Rhode Island’s Ports
OPEN GOVERNMENT H-7078 Sponsor, Legislative Records Online. Would require that the General Assembly’s Web site include each member’s voting record – including every vote cast by the legislator in committee and on his or her chamber’s floor, as well as the date of each vote and the final tally of each committee and floor vote. 2009 and 2010 Legislative Sessions. H-5005 Sponsor, Increase Voter Participation –Allows for pre-registration of RI future voters at age sixteen. A number of non-partisan organizations produced studies illustrating that engaging youth at an earlier age increases their likelihood of lifelong voting. When receiving a driving permit young adults will be asked to register and allowed to vote upon reaching the age of eighteen. 2009 and 2010 Legislative Sessions
END PUBLIC CORRUPTION H-7386 Co-sponsor, End “Pay to Play” Politics. Bill would disqualify corporations receiving government contracts from making political donations to any candidate seeking public office. 2010 Legislative Session. H-7357 Co-sponsor. Restore Ethics Commission Power. Would ask voters to approve a change to the state constitution that would allow an exception for the Ethics Commission in the “speech in debate” clause that shields lawmakers from prosecution or civil suits based on their actions as a legislator, such as proposing a bill or voting on a bill. Overturns a loophole exploited by John Celona and Bill Irons and ensures that EVERY legislator maintain ethical standards when voting. 2010 Legislative Session.
PENSION REFORM H-7404 Sponsor. Pension Reform for Judges and State Police. Legislation led to the first time in Rhode Island that pension reform was adapted to either group. Changes were made in the 2009 budget and will continue to push to encourage parity in pension reform for all state employees. 2009 and 2010 Legislative Session.
CONSTITUENT SERVICES H-5451A Sponsor. New England Patriots Charitable License Plate. Constituent requested legislation be introduced to allow for New England Patriot license plates in order to raise money to aid at-risk youth. No cost to state of Rhode Island. 2009 Legislative Session. H-5252 Sponsor. Heritage Educational Farmstead Act. Protects local farms, local jobs, and open space. The bill was particularly beneficial to farms like Grace Note in Pascoag and will ensure that they can continue operating long into the future.
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