I didn't like David Cicilline's idea to tax college students, and now I like it even less.  At first, it was reported that Brown University, Rhode Island School of Design, Johnson and Wales University, and Providence College, but now it has expanded.  David Cicilline intends on submitting a bill to the General Assembly which would also extend the tax to Roger Williams University, Salve Regina University, Bryant University, and the New England Institute of Technology.   Students at Rhode Island College, the Community College of Rhode Island, and the University of Rhode Island would be exempt.

     This is a poorly conceived plan on many levels.  Just take a look at this excerpt:


According to student government representatives, the mayor intends to ask the General Assembly to consider a bill that would impose a head tax on all full-time students in all private colleges and universities in the state. Rhode Island property owners and the children of Rhode Island property owners would be exempt from the tax, say students.   


     Think about this: "Rhode Island property owners and the children of Rhode Island property owners would be exempt from the tax, say students."   So, according to the students, if you or your parents pay property taxes, you don't need to pay the student tax.  Well, what about students who rent, or the children of renters?  I'm going to guess that renters tend to have a lower income than home owners.  Are we going to add an additional obstacle for low-income students?  By the way, why would we discriminate against renters?  Aren't they also part of the community?  Don't they frequent businesses, pay rent, and contribute to the city?  Finally, I think this law would be open to a legal challenge due to students at public colleges and universities receiving an exemption.  Are there any lawyers out there who care to address this possibility?

     I was planning on actually writing a positive post about the Mayor today when he finally decided to release the 2010 budget earlier than planned.  It contained some great ideas for cutting costs and included no property tax increases.  I was glad to see some good news, but once again, David Cicilline shows why he is a pitiful excuse for a Mayor by pushing a student tax that will make it harder for people to pursue an education.