Projo 7 to 7 News Blog

PROVIDENCE, R.I. -- Mayor David N. Cicilline's proposed tax on students for the use of city services may extend beyond the capital city.

According to student government representatives, the mayor intends to ask the General Assembly to consider a bill that would impose a head tax on all full-time students in all private colleges and universities in the state. Rhode Island property owners and the children of Rhode Island property owners would be exempt from the tax, say students.

That would mean the proposed tax would not only affect students at the city's four private colleges --- Brown University, the Rhode Island School of Design, Providence College and Johnson & Wales University --- but also Roger Williams University, Salve Regina University, Bryant University and the New England Institute of Technology.

Cicilline has met at least two times with students from the city colleges to garner their support for his proposal. Brown University Graduate Student Council President Heather Lee, however, says that all student councils are against the proposal. University officials have voiced their opposition to the tax as well.

Cicilline has declined to comment on the specific nature of the proposal, saying only that legislation will be submitted in the assembly in the next week or so with more details.

But in a brief interview Monday, Cicilline made it clear that he did not believe the proposed $300 tax for the use of city services is an unreasonable burden, as student representatives and university officials have argued.

"What is being asked of them pales in comparison to what families in this city are facing," Cicilline said following a press conference on an unrelated topic. "Families are struggling. They face the same economic crisis that the students and the universities are facing.

"It's about being a part of the community. It's about shared goals and shared responsibilities, and making sure that everyone is paying their fair share."

 Tags  Cicilline education Providence RI

Comments

john said:

Obama-nomics in action - I love it! Simply fantastic that Brown (which I'm sure voted 99.9% for Obama) is right in the cross-fire of all this. I mean, all the mayor is doing is trying to spread the wealth around and making sure everyone pays their fair share - this is what you voted for, correct?

Link | May 5, 2009 6:42 PM
Report Abuse

---

anon said:

Isn't it kind of a reciprocal agreement? Yes, many of the private college students are from out of state, but don't Rhode Island students go to private colleges in other states? Yes, it's about being part of the community, but we need to remember our students go to other states too. Not to mention all of the money that college students pour into the local retail, food service, and entertainment. Don't they pay enough already?

Link | May 5, 2009 7:56 PM
Report Abuse

---

Paul Revere said:

what an easy way to raise money for the city! Tax those who have no recourse! I think we have fought a war over this type of thing before.

Link | May 5, 2009 8:57 PM
Report Abuse

---

1Sunbum said:

Jeez.... What a looney, goofy idea.. Why not just simply stop everyone at the RI borders and assess a tax on any nonresident who sets foot in or passes thru the state?!?!?! Makes about as much sense as this moronic proposal... Instead of The Ocean State the license plates should read The Taking State. Fooey.

Link | May 5, 2009 10:52 PM
Report Abuse

---

Dick Tuck said:

Sure Chippilino, let a few thopusand more illegals into your "sanctuary city" and tax college students to pay for the services the illegals consume. Hey, where's that BIG JOB Obamoron was supposed to give you?

Link | May 6, 2009 6:11 PM
Report Abuse

---

Leave a comment

Please be civil. Vicious comments, personal attacks and profanity won't be published. Name and email are required; email address will not publish.

Name:

Email:

URL:  

Remember personal info?

Captcha:

Type the characters you see in the picture above.