Woonsocket Radio News Room

Rep. Brien sales tax holiday bill would allow for 'Christmas in July in RI'

 

STATE HOUSE — Rep. Jon D. Brien (I-Dist. 49, Woonsocket, North Smithfield) has introduced legislation that would create an annual sales tax holiday.

Touted as “Christmas in July in RI,” the legislation (2023-H 5805) would create a sales and use tax holiday for the second Saturday and Sunday in July annually, exempting items below $2,500 from the state’s 7-percent sales tax. The holiday would not apply to sales of telecommunications, tobacco products, gas, steam, oil, electricity or motor vehicles.

“Other states have seen success with sales tax holidays in stimulating their economies,” said Representative Brien. “Christmas in July in RI would be a nice hook to lure in shoppers from nearby states to Rhode Island. Not only is it a great way to give back to businesses in the state, but it would help out others, as well, since July is the perfect time to enjoy the state’s restaurants, beaches and other attractions.”

Several states currently have sales tax holidays. Most jurisdictions use the holiday to exempt clothing and back-to-school supplies from sales tax. Since clothing is already sales tax-exempt in Rhode Island, Brien’s legislation would be modeled on the Massachusetts tax holiday, which currently exempts all taxable items below $2,500. 

The legislation, which is cosponsored by Representatives Arthur J. Corvese (D-Dist. 55, North Providence), Jacquelyn M. Baginski (D-Dist. 17, Cranston), House Minority Leader Michael W. Chippendale (R-Dist. 40, Foster, Glocester, Coventry), Patricia Serpa (D-Dist. 27, West Warwick, Coventry), Edward T. Cardillo Jr. (D-Dist. 42, Johnston, Cranston), Robert D. Phillips (D-Dist. 51, Woonsocket, Cumberland) and Brian C. Newberry (R-Dist. 48, North Smithfield, Burrillville), has been referred to the House Finance Committee.             

 

President Trump says the tariffs imposed on other countries are having the desired effect, and he's now open to negotiations. Speaking to reporters aboard Air Force One, Trump said his initial tariff plan is over, and he's watching it settle in. He said every country has called, asking to cut a trade deal with the U.S. to avoid the tariffs.        Stocks are closing sharply lower one day after President Trump announced sweeping global tariffs. The S&P 500 had its worse day since 2020 as the White House announced a baseline tariff rate of ten-percent against most countries yesterday that will go into effect on Saturday. At the closing bell, the Dow Jones Industrial Average fell by 16-79 to 40-545. The S&P 500 lost 274 points to 53-96. The Nasdaq lost 10-50 points to 16-550.        A multi-day severe weather event is unfolding for more than 55-million people. It comes after at least seven people were killed in the South Central U.S. after storms that included several tornadoes hit the region yesterday. Tonight, there is still a tornado threat for the same areas, but forecasters warn there could also be potentially catastrophic flooding in the Mid-South and Midwest.        The Federal Aviation Administration is offering more support to air traffic controllers at Reagan National Airport. The Critical Incident Stress Management team will be meeting with airport personnel sometime early this month. The FAA is also reviewing the arrival rate at the airport and will conduct regular wellness checks.        The Senate has confirmed Dr. Mehmet Oz as administrator of the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services. The television personality was confirmed on a party-line vote of 53-45. Oz now assumes a role that provides health insurance to roughly 160 million Americans.        Steven Spielberg and George Lucas top the latest Forbes list of celebrity billionaires. The latest Forbes ranking of the world's wealthiest people includes 18 celebrities, with film director Steven Spielberg topping the list at five-point-three-billion dollars. Star Wars creator George Lucas is in second place with a net worth of five-point-one-billion dollars.       

Old News Archives