Let's turn this State Around !

Posted by Wayne G. Barber
To improve Rhode Island’s economy, I would suggest that Rhode Island's sales tax rate be reduced to 3% on all taxable items and services rendered and that food, clothing and boats be included in the list of taxable items. One low, broad based sales tax rate will save every business time and money. A low income family would save $200.00 on the purchase of a $5000.00 used car and save 4% on all other purchases. A wealthy person would pay $30,000.00 on the purchase of a million dollar boat. The wealthy also spend huge amounts on food and clothing.
Next, Rhode Island should increase funding for education to a point where local communities can reduce their property taxes by 15%. Instead of spending large amounts of tax dollars giving tax breaks, grants in aid and low interest guaranteed loans to a few lucky companies, it would be more productive for Rhode Island to spend an extra 200 million dollars on education and lower the property taxes for every Rhode Island business and for every Rhode Island homeowner by 15%.  In addition, Rhode Island should reduce its income tax rate, its corporate tax rate and its capital gains tax rate by 10%.
Many businesses would expand or move to Rhode Island and many families would move to Rhode Island to take advantage of the low taxes. Employment would rise, home foreclosures would drop and property values would increase.   Rhode Island’s population would dramatically increase guaranteeing that funds would be available to repair and replace Rhode Island’s structurally deficient bridges without billion dollars bond issues, tax credits, tax rebates or subsidies to shipping companies.
Lastly, Rhode Island should take over the distribution and sale of tobacco products.  Private companies should not be selling these products that when used according to directions cause sickness and death.  Rhode Island should provide these services and use the taxes and profits produced from the sale of these products to improve the lives of all the residents of Rhode Island.  Tobacco products would only be sold in vending machines located inside or outside the thousands of stores and other businesses in Rhode Island.  These products would be sold by the carton and payment would have to be made with a personal credit card.  The possibility of children buying tobacco products would be eliminated.  Funds to fully fund DCYF, healthcare, education and bridge repair would be available.  Source; Ken Berwick GOLOCALPROV.COM