Baldelli-Hunt Releases Hold on House $2.5M Supplemental Tax Bill

Last night Rep. Lisa Baldelli-Hunt (D-Dist. 49) asked for her version of the $2.5 million Supplemental Tax Bill, H6103, to be sent to the Senate, releasing a weeks-long hold on the House-approved legislation.

Whether the Senate will vote on the bill remains to be seen.

Sen. Marc Cote (D-Dist 24), sponsor of S820, said he is still concerned that while most city unions have ratified concessions showing shared sacrifice to solve Woonsocket's deficits, it may be best to wait for all of them to ratify before a supplemental tax is approved. 

"Last night during one of the debates Rep. Baldelli Hunt stood up and asked for her supplemental tax bill to be sent over to the Senate," said Larry Berman, communications director for House Speaker Gordon Fox. "It's in their court now." Today is the last day for the Senate to act on the bill this year.

Cote said he didn't see a reason for urgency on passing the bill, with the recent state aid advance keeping the city's cash flow in the black. He said he will meet today with Sen. Roger Picard, the Senate president and finance chairman to discuss his concerns. 

Picard said re-submitting either of the supplemental tax bills would be an easy matter come the first Tuesday in January when the General Assembly reconvenes. He said passing the bills in each chamber was a quick matter. "We could do the same thing Jan. 1st," Cote said.

But the Budget Commission's public discussion on options in the event of the supplemental tax's death in this year's session did not include waiting that long. 

During the Budget Commission's June 24 meeting, Commission member Peder Schaefer said if the supplemental tax isn't passed this year, the Commission can tax against the $4.6 million debt service payment due on Pension Obligation Bonds this year instead.  

Cote was unsure if the House Supplemental Tax Bill would be voted on today before heading into the meeting with Senate leaders. Greg Pare, director of Senate Communications, when reached this afternoon at about 2:30 p.m. for comment, said the bill had not yet been scheduled for a vote.