PROVIDENCE – R.I. House Speaker Nicholas A. Mattiello and Senate President Dominick J. Ruggerio announced in a joint statement that they have reached an agreement to move the budget forward Monday evening, ending the stalemate between the two chambers of the state legislature.
Per the agreement, the Senate will convene to pass the budget the House passed before the summer recess.
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Then both chambers will address the nature of the car tax phase-out, with the both chambers working to pass a stand-alone car tax bill separate from the state budget; the Senate will address the bill Thursday, the House, when it reconvenes.
The legislation will mandate that the director of revenue file annual reports with both the Senate and the House and provide recommendations regarding the car tax phase-out starting with a report due Jan. 1, 2021.
“The car tax phase-out remains in the budget and the relief Rhode Islanders desire from this punitive tax will be implemented as I promised,” said Mattiello. “We also recognize the Senate’s concerns related to the car tax phase-out from a long-term perspective, and I think it makes sense for the Director of Revenue to commission an annual study on how this program and other programs are working in conjunction with projected revenue.”
Both chambers also agreed to reconvene on Sept. 19 to consider legislation that was not addressed before the end of the session. Which bills will be considered has not yet been determined.
“I look forward to having the Senate return on Thursday to finalize the budget process. The concerns of the budget impasse expressed by city and town leaders have not been lost on me, but I needed to balance those concerns with the feasibility of the car tax phase-out, particularly in the out years,” said Ruggerio. “I’m pleased the Speaker recognized the concerns of the feasibility of the car tax phase-out that I share with my colleagues in the out years. This compromise allows the budget process to move forward, and I appreciate the Speaker’s willingness to work through our differences.”
Mattiello returned the conciliatory sentiment, adding, “I thank President Ruggerio for his diligence in resolving our budget disagreement.”
Chris Bergenheim is the PBN web editor.
