RI Senator: abolish new taxes on taxis, pet care
Rhode Island Senator calls for elimination of new sales taxes on taxis, pet care
PROVIDENCE, R.I. (AP) -- A Rhode Island state Senator is seeking to abolish sales taxes on pet care services and taxi fares, less than a year after the General Assembly voted to impose them.
Sen. Susan Sosnowski announced legislation this week that would rescind the taxes, which went into effect Oct. 1 despite protests from pet groomers and taxi cab owners.
Sosnowski, a South Kingstown Democrat, says the new taxes are hurting small businesses already struggling with a difficult economy.
Similar legislation has been sponsored in the House.
Lawmakers voted last year to impose the 7 percent sales taxes on pet grooming and boarding, taxi fares and items of clothing costing $250 or more. All together, the new taxes are estimated to raise about $12 million for the state annually.
