I don't think David Cicilline is a good mayor.  If you've read this blog before, that statement won't come as a surprise.  To help illustrate why I have a low opinion of David Cicilline, I have included some quotes from him and Warwick mayor Scott Avedisian who spoke about two bills which would tax nonprofits.  Here are David Cicilline's thoughts on the proposed legislation:

“We’re not diminishing the importance of the hospitals and universities to the vitality of the City of Providence,” Cicilline said in a news conference in his City Hall office. “We are saying that they need to stand side-by-side with the local taxpayers. They must do their fair share for the sake of the city’s future.”


     Next, we have Scott Avedisian's opinion on the legislation:

Warwick Mayor Scott Avedisian, whose city is home to the New England Institute of Technology, Kent Hospital and a tax-exempt Radisson hotel run by Johnson & Wales University, said he would not recommend that his city adopt Cicilline’s proposals if they are passed by the Assembly.

Avedisian, who met with Cicilline on Tuesday about his proposals, said Warwick already has tax-compensation agreements with the New England Institute of Technology and Johnson & Wales, and that he was concerned about the financial situation of Kent Hospital.

“The community hospitals are taking a beating. In the current economy, it would be difficult to ask Kent to go further in debt to help the city,” he said


     One man values the work done by nonprofits and honors agreements, while the other one does not.  By the way, Providence agreed to a 20 year PILOT program with the colleges and universities in 2003 which will pay the city $20 million over the course of the agreement.  As far as I can see, by agreeing to the PILOT program, the schools are "standing side-by side" with taxpayers.  All David Cicilline seems to be doing is reneging on an agreement.