Wednesday, April 23, 2008

Meal Tax Revenues

Projo is reporting that for Feb. these revenues went up an average of 7%.
Dale J. Venturini, president of the Rhode Island Hospitality and Tourism Association, said she was not surprised that February was better this year than last. “I’m encouraged by it, but it’s much lower than I expected it to be.”
She said that a number of new restaurants have opened in the last year and that the economy in February had not yet become as “dreadful” as in March and April. She said data for those months, the first of which is due out in a few weeks, could be telling.

The State collects 8% tax & returns 1% to local gov't. Here is the rundown:

Little Compton- Feb. tax $880, Daily Av. $30; Feb. 07 tax $1,029, Daily av. $37; % change -17.4

Newport- $63,333, $2,184; $69,820, $2,494; -12.4

Middletown $33,719, $1,163; $29,866, $1,067; 9.0

Tiverton $16,009 $552; $16,098, $575; -4.0


I'm supposing that winter hurt most towns while Middletown survives with its myriad of cheap, chains & other reasonably priced establishments.

Thanks to reporter Paul Edward Parker.

4 comments:

Anonymous said...

In case no one noticed, Lou DiPalma from the Middletown Council attempted to increase the towns share of the hotel and meals tax revenue only to be blocked by the Rodrigues majority including Council Vice Chair Shirley Mello who also serves as a voting member of the Newport Visitors Center which takes the lion share from those resources! What an obvious conflict, the tax payers deserve better!

Anonymous said...

Point well taken. However, DiPalma had no luck getting this passed before. Preliminary negotiations might have helped along with getting some supporters to "speak up." Going it alone is just that- going it alone and resulted in the inevitble conclusion.
One also wonders why he didn't support Silveira's move to lower taxes by using some of the town's excess monies. Coucilor Silveira was purposely isolated & doomed to failure. Councilor DiPalma wasn't.

Anonymous said...

Good point, I did notice Silveira unlike Mello was professional in his recusing due to a conflict regarding his business. Maybe Mello can take a clue!

Anonymous said...

Indeed! Hat's off! He also stated why. A form or letter should also be filed with the Elections Board.
I do believe that Councilor Mello abstained last yr. when a similar measure was brought up & the conflict complaint was put forth. But no one objected this time. Does that board get paid? I've forgotten. It would likely be a conflict then. Not sure now but consistency would be appreciated!
For all the objections against & the vote against, DiPalma certainly was praised. Didn't work for Sylvia recently, though. Or Silveira. He's "in" and they're "out." Like high school, you know.