Vote Peter Costa, Jr. for State Representative District 67
Dear Barrington Voters,
After the State House redistricting in 2011, District 67 has changed from 70% Warren and 30% Barrington to 60% Barrington and 40% Warren making District 67 a majority Barrington district for the first time in two decades. On November 6th there will be many new voters in District 67, voters who deserve a clear choice.
My name is Peter Costa, Jr. and I’m running for State Representative in District 67 (Barrington, Warren) because I believe Rhode Island’s future can and will be exceptional once again. I am energetic, hardworking, and most importantly accountable. For almost two decades, the people of District 67 have been represented by incumbent Warren resident Jan Malik who missed 876 votes in the last five years. He missed the 2004 Affordable Housing Mandate and he did not vote against the 2010 Jobs Guaranty Legislation (38 Studios Loan Guarantee) costing the Rhode Island taxpayers over $100 million dollars.
The citizens of District 67 have not had a voice in their government and the future is too important to have someone representing us who neglects his basic duty and does not do his job. Barrington and Warren deserve a legislator who leads and who votes.
As a lifelong resident of our town and graduate of the Barrington Public Schools, I am your neighbor and I know residents of Barrington are ready for new ideas, a new vision and new results for a better future. On my first day as Representative in January, I will lead a new initiative to ensure that our laws give every Rhode Islander the opportunity to prosper. My number one priority is to reform Rhode Island’s tax structure to create jobs. My plan for tax reform includes: a reduction in the state sales tax, a 1% cap on property taxes, and the elimination of the motor vehicle tax. I will also work to repeal the 10% Affordable Housing Mandate so as a town we can consider alternatives: Senior Housing, a town park, recreational fields, and protection of our natural environment and open space.
If we elect legislators who understand how changes in public policy can spur economic growth, together we’ll lead the country in our job growth statistics, not our unemployment rate and debt/GDP ratio. With new legislators and a mandate for growth and tax reform, we will create a business environment in Rhode Island that makes us competitive again with our New England neighbors. I am running for the General Assembly because I understand that manufacturing, tourism, hospitality and healthcare are our leading industries and they will help drive our economic recovery and create new jobs for Rhode Islanders.
I have visited over 3,700 homes and a number of businesses in Barrington and Warren and I hear a clear message: “Make our government more efficient and accountable so our state can prosper once again!” I have also seen first-hand the damage this prolonged recession has had on families in our community and they need our help. Therefore, we must provide the most vital services to our residents while rebuilding our economy. In 2011, Rhode Island ranked last in the nation for business competitiveness and 1,265 more people left Rhode Island than established a residency here.
Let’s take a big step in the right direction: cut waste in our state government, lower taxes for our residents and their businesses, and re-establish Rhode Island as a great place for public education. Let’s get started on the great Rhode Island comeback with smart, accountable, and common sense government.
Thank you for your VOTE for Peter Costa, Jr. on November 6th! -- Peter Costa, Jr.
Concerned Barrrington Parent
11:27 am on Thursday, November 1, 2012
I have lived in Barrington for 25 years and been a very active volunteer in the Barrington community. During the 16 years that Mr. Malik has been a Rep of Barrington, I have never met or seen him at the Sowams Octoberfest, the Barrington Education Foundation Ducky Race, a PTO meeting, the Nayatt Fair, a soccer game, a football game, the Farmer’s Market or a Scout meeting. I have never heard Mr. Malik speak at a School Committee Meeting or a Financial Town Meeting in Barrington or even seen him there. In 16 years he has never knocked on my door and asked for my vote. I am voting for Peter Costa because he volunteers at TAP IN and serves on the Barrington Parks and Recreation Committee and because he will be a strong voice for our the Barrington community at the State House.
jonnieh
4:11 pm on Thursday, November 1, 2012
Peter, you have given us many initiatives you plan to have implemented. But you give no details as to how you will accomplish these aggressive goals. Some of the things you plan to do is to eliminate the minimum corporate tax, lower corporate income tax, eliminate car tax, put a 1% cap on property tax and lower sales tax from 7% to 5%. Two of your ideas, lower sales tax and eliminate the car tax would would be approximately $459 million. Your other initiatives must be millions more. Where do you propose we make up this money. Your experience as a page is good for knowing where the fax machine and paper shredder are but what legislative experience do you have from this position? Zero. And your unique experience to grow the economy, what is this, economist in the business for years do not have the answer to this and you do. Let's talk reality, you have no clue what it takes to accomplish these tasks and I am insulted that you think I and the voters of your district are stupid enough to believe you can eliminate/lower all these taxes with no way to make up the revenue. By the way do you know how many politicians have said they would reform the tax code. Get real. We need experience as a representative. Get your feet wet and run for the Barrington Town Council. Learn the basics before taking on the State of Rhode Island.
Lorraine F
4:45 pm on Thursday, November 1, 2012
"Your experience as a page is good for knowing where the fax machine and paper shredder are but what legislative experience do you have from this position?"
You had my interest with the numbers, but lost me with that cheap shot.
As moderate Democrat, my concern is that living on taxpayer credit cards is what I want my government to stop.
Anyone who is committed to a "just say no" government until we pull ourselves out of this mess is fine for me. I want both candidates to show where they can slow the expansion of government.
CommitteetoElectPeterCostaJr
6:12 pm on Thursday, November 1, 2012
Jonnieh, I appreciate your concerns and your comment on my blog. I will try to address each of your policy questions.
1) Eliminate the Minimum Corporate Tax – Every “newly” incorporated business is forced to pay 500 dollars to the state government. It raises little revenue and both Republicans and Democrats have been trying to pass legislation to eliminate this tax for years. The tax stifles small startup businesses, and we should be encouraging them in Rhode Island.
2) Lower the Corporate Income Tax – Our New England neighbors have lower corporate income tax rates than RI, which makes the Ocean State a less attractive destination for both large and small businesses. My advertising that you refer to suggests a reduction in the rate from 9 to 5 percent to lure businesses back to our cities and towns so we can put Rhode Islanders back to work. Both President Obama and Governor Romney have suggested a reduction in our Federal Corporate Income Tax Rate because it makes the United States, like Rhode Island, a less attractive place to do business.
CommitteetoElectPeterCostaJr
6:13 pm on Thursday, November 1, 2012
3) Eliminate the Car Tax – When the car tax was passed the State Government said that the first 6,000 dollars would be covered. A few years ago, the State realized that it could no longer afford that so it set the coverage limit to the first 500 dollars. This adjustment in the coverage limit has forced cities and towns all across Rhode Island to either cut programs and/or raise property taxes. My opponent recently noted that the car tax raised about 100 million dollars in revenue, so I will pose this question: Would 100 million dollars be better spent by eliminating a burdensome tax on the people or was it better spent as a loan guarantee for 38 Studios which I will remind you created 0 jobs in Rhode Island?
CommitteetoElectPeterCostaJr
6:13 pm on Thursday, November 1, 2012
4) 1% Statewide Cap on Property Taxes – This is the biggest of all the points you raised. East Bay residents pay in the TOP 1% in Property Taxes in the NATION. Last year alone our state lost 1,265 residents. I see a direct, causal connection between our high property taxes and loss of residents and believe the problem needs to be addressed immediately. I would recommend a solution similar to what Indiana passed in 2010. The basics of the legislation are that property owners pay 1% of residential home value, 2% of rental property or agricultural farm land value, and 3% of business property value. Businesses in economic development zones (enterprise zones) will receive a deduction. My opponent has spent 16 years in the State House and property taxes continue to GO UP AND UP. Sadly, he does not have a solution to fix this problem.
CommitteetoElectPeterCostaJr
6:14 pm on Thursday, November 1, 2012
5) Lower the Sales Tax – I propose a reduction and broadening of our state sales tax from 7 to 5 percent because similar to the situation with our high corporate income tax, our sales tax is higher than our New England neighbors. If you lower the rate, Rhode Islanders will buy our products in this state once again instead of going across state lines to buy products. Some Massachusetts and Connecticut residents will likely come to RI to buy products too and the lowering of the rate will surely lead to a lot more revenue.
CommitteetoElectPeterCostaJr
6:15 pm on Thursday, November 1, 2012
Many Rhode Island politicians have made many empty, hollow promises just so that they can get elected. That is not what I am about and that is not why I am running for State Representative. Rhode Island is desperate for new leadership, not the same stale ideas and apathetic minds that have led to many years of economic decline.
My opponent claimed earlier this month that he has a lot to lose if he loses this election. I disagree. This election is not about what he or I have to win or lose, but rather this election is about what the people of Rhode Island have lost over the last few decades and about what they stand to gain with new leadership.
Best,
Peter
jonnieh
7:11 pm on Thursday, November 1, 2012
Lorraine, it is not a cheap shot he brags that his experience as a page give him the knowledge of the system. A page is what it is "a runner". Don't use if it means nothing.
Lorraine F
7:53 pm on Thursday, November 1, 2012
It was a derogatory statement and you intended to make him look small, ergo, a cheap shot.
Being a page is an excellent way to get to know the back room maneuvering of the legislature, who to call when you need to get things done, all the admin staff in the legislature, etc.
A contact list takes a long time to develop, and knowing the admin staff even longer (they are the ones who actually get things done).
It is more than knowing where to find the "fax machine and paper shredder".
jonnieh
7:14 pm on Thursday, November 1, 2012
Peter I still don't hear where the money is coming from to offset all your dollars. I see the property tax and car tax affecting the towns and cities. So where do they get the money.
CommitteetoElectPeterCostaJr
5:57 pm on Friday, November 2, 2012
Jonnieh, once again thank you for your input. Unfortunately you are assuming that our labor force, which has not grown in 25 years, will remain the same size. If we create jobs (grow our labor force) and have more taxpayers paying income, property, sales taxes you will grow the state's general revenue and our budget shortfalls will become budget surpluses. Thank you.