Projo 7 to 7 News Blog

PROVIDENCE, R.I. -- Getting under way more than an hour late, the House of Representatives is about to begin debating -- and voting -- on the proposed $7.76-billion tax-and-spending plan for the state fiscal year that begins on July 1.

The session opened at about 3:22 p.m.

The debate will span hours as rank-and-file lawmakers offer up a flurry of proposed amendments aimed at rolling back proposed pension cuts for state workers and teachers, saving the job of state Health Insurance Commissioner Christopher Koller and forcing the bankrupt Twin River to keep greyhound racing.

Few battles are expected to be more intense in the state House of Representatives than the one over a move to kill the state's "flat tax.''

The dispute has drawn the interest of a host of powerful players -- labor unions, mayors, and a coalition of elected officials -- who hope to repeal the high-profile tax break that benefits 2,267 of Rhode Island's wealthiest taxpayers. Supporters want to funnel the savings to the cash-strapped cities and towns, which stand to lose more than $55 million in state aid.

The debate over education and municipal aid will come early. The overall budget is aimed at averting a $590 million projected deficit. It includes a proposed 2-cent per gallon increase in the gasoline tax, eliminates the favorable treatment of capital gains, and relies heavily on $226.5 million in federal stimulus dollars and $57.6 million in unspecified across-the-board cuts to plug the hole.

 Tags  house budget rhode island

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