Bills target RI sales tax, bridge tolls

PROVIDENCE, R.I. (AP) -- Some Rhode Island lawmakers are supporting bills that would eliminate the state sales tax and stop a plan to charge tolls on the new Sakonnet River Bridge.

Warren state Rep. Jan Malik told The Providence Journal the state should ditch its 7 percent sales tax to be more competitive with Massachusetts, where there's talk of dropping the state sales tax from 6.25 percent to 4.5 percent.

Malik believes lost tax revenue could be offset by spending cuts and increased economic activity spurred by the tax cut.

Senate President Teresa Paiva Weed supports a bill to pay for bridge maintenance with a statewide fee instead of new tolls. The legislation calls for a $20 surcharge on the semiannual vehicle emissions inspection fee and would eliminate the need for new tolls.