Rep. Jackson "Yes!", Rep. Long "No!"

Rep. J. Russell Jackson has again tried to pass tax legislation that changes how time-shares are assessed property taxes. Last year this legislation was passed by both the House & Senate, but the Governor vetoed it claiming it wasn't fair & was a tax hike in disguse (doesn't have much sympathy for property taxpayers, though).

Time-shares are taxed on replacement value. Ain't the way your house is assessed & taxed, is it? This bill would assess & tax them just like your home. It's the way other states tax them. Sounds fair to me. What's good for the goose, is good for the gander.

Right now owners pay an average of $57/yr. Under this law, that would likely double. The city would realize close to a million dollars more.

In committee, Jackson (D-Newport & Middletown) voted for the bill. Rice (D-Newport, Middletown, & Portsmouth) was absent. Long (R-Middletown, Jamestown, & Newport), Loughlin (R-Little C. & Tiv.), & Amaral (R-Tiv.) were against (BTW-ALL members of R.I.'s 12th).

"Long and Amaral supported the bill last year but Loughlin did not. Long said he was partially swayed because he received one e-mail [must have been one hell of an e-mail] from a constituent opposed to the bill. Long said he has never spoken to city officials about their concerns that the current taxing system is not fair to Newport residents.'I oppose a system that's going to increase taxes for the citizens of the state of Rhode Island,' Long said [increasing taxes for his Newport constituents is no problem].

I got much of my info from an article by Joe Baker of the Daily News. Can't link, though, unless you're willing to pay.

My suggestion is that Newporters in Long's district e-mail him. It evidently works big time! And better yet, in the Nov. elections, vote "No!"