State of Rhode Island Archives: on Tax Reform

Patricia Morgan: Rhode Islanders relocate to avoid the confiscatory death tax

Barry Hinckley: Lower rates for families, lower rates for businesses

When asked about the 9-9-9 plan proposed by former presidential candidate Herman Cain, Hinckley said at least it's a new idea. "Our current tax code is four million words long. We need a new tax code to compete in the 21st century," Hinckley said. "We need lower rates for families, lower rates for businesses."

Whitehouse said Cain's plan, which called for nine percent income tax, nine percent capital gains tax and nine percent sales tax, would shift the tax burden to the middle class. "It's not a fresh idea, it's a lousy idea," Whitehouse said.

Sheldon Whitehouse: Tax code is broken, but flat tax is a lousy idea

When asked about the 9-9-9 plan proposed by former presidential candidate Herman Cain, Hinckley said at least it's a new idea. "Our current tax code is four million words long. We need a new tax code to compete in the 21st century," Hinckley said. "We need lower rates for families, lower rates for businesses."

Whitehouse said Cain's plan, which called for nine percent income tax, nine percent capital gains tax and nine percent sales tax, would shift the tax burden to the middle class. "It's not a fresh idea, it's a lousy idea," Whitehouse said.

Sheldon Whitehouse: $2T in new revenues, and $2T in cuts, to balance budget

Hinckley then criticized Whitehouse for being partisan. "How do you come to the middle when you vote with your leadership 96% of the time. If you don't like it, mark it up and send it back. This is an all-hands-on-deck situation." Hinckley then criticized the Bush and Obama administrations, calling them both "train wrecks." "My children are going to have to pay this back," he said.

Mark Zaccaria: Eliminate the estate tax; cut spending to match tax cuts

A: Yes.

Q: Do you support requiring the federal budget to be balanced each year?

A: Yes.

Zaccaria adds, "Fees and taxes for income purposes should also be dramatically reduced, with the possible exception of Customs Duties. We should compensate for any revenue reductions that result from this policy by aggressively lowering expenditures."

Stephen Laffey: Tax cuts are good for America

Carl Sheeler: Property taxes are regressive

Indicate which principles you support regarding taxes.
• Q: Should Internet sales be taxed?
  A: No.
• Q: Do you support an expansion of casino gambling in Rhode Island?
  A: No.
• Sheeler adds, “Property taxes are regressive and should be adjusted to approved local expenditures; large corporate and special interest tax loop holes closed; increased taxes for $200,000+ households ”