Providence poised to raise city tax levy by 7 percent
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Ciccone and Bissaillon are both viewed as supporters of Smiley, but their neighborhoods are poised to see some of the largest property tax increases, which they fear will substantially drive up rents for their constituents.
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Start with the obvious:
Ciccone is suddenly much more powerful than he was three months ago. As majority leader, he likely has the ability to singlehandedly push through or kill Smiley's tax bill.
As Channel 12's Alexandra Leslie
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Then again, Ciccone doesn't want to be a one-term majority leader (unless he gets a promotion). A vote for the levy increase could add to the likelihood that he'll face a challenger in the Democratic primary next year.
Bissaillon's bet:
Bissaillon has been much more direct with the Smiley administration: He maintains that he won't support a tax levy increase unless it agrees to an obscure tax change related to industrial properties in the city – his argument is that he doesn't want properties like the Manchester Street Power Station to see a tax decrease when his constituents are going to see large increases.
In some ways, Smiley's team took Bissaillon for granted. They were dismissive of his proposal, and assumed he'd be a good team player and support their levy increase anyway. But he has made it clear that he isn't bluffing, and the administration has indicated it will support a version of his bill.
'I won't support it unless I feel like I've done everything I can to help my constituents,' Bissaillon said Tuesday.
What to watch:
The tax levy bill isn't the only one the Smiley administration is seeking. Lawmakers seem poised to support an event parking tax that could help the city, and there appears to be momentum on a new tax break
This story first appeared in Rhode Map, our free newsletter about Rhode Island that also contains information about local events, links to interesting stories, and more. If you'd like to receive it via e-mail Monday through Friday,
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