Tag Archives for Senator Thomas Paolino

Dueling Social Security Proposals Heard by Senate Finance Committee

Published in RINewsToday on March 6, 2023

Almost eight years ago, Rhode Island lawmakers reduced the tax burden on older Rhode Islanders by tweaking the state’s tax on Social Security in the fiscal year 2016 budget. The exemption to Social Security taxation as it currently stands in statute was put in place in 2015, as part of the FY 2016 budget.

According to Greg Pare, Rhode Island’s Senate Director of Communications, the Assembly expanded a budget proposal by then Governor Gina Raimondo to make Social Security benefits exempt from state taxes for many. “The original proposal would have made them exempt for single filers with federal adjusted gross incomes of up to $50,000 and joint filers up to $60,000,” noted Pare, but lawmakers raised the limit to $80,000 for single and $100,000 for joint filers.

During this current legislative session – 2023 – there are two legislative proposals that, if passed, would decrease the state taxes on Social Security income for up to 175,840 retirees.

Helping Social Security retirees

During the current legislative session, Senator Elaine Morgan (R-Dist. 34, Charleston, Exeter, Hopkinton, Richmond, West Greenwich) introduced SB 84 to completely eliminate the state tax on Social Security income in Rhode Island. The bipartisan legislative proposal specifies for tax years beginning on or after January 1, 2024, an individual may subtract from federal adjusted gross income all Social Security income.

Morgan’s SB 84 has attracted the support of GOP Senate colleagues, along with Democratic Senators on the other side of the aisle.  The senior-friendly, bipartisan legislative proposal sponsors are: Sens. Anthony Phillip Deluca (R-Dist. 29, Warwick), Minority Leader Jessica de la Cruz (R-Dist. 23, Burrillville, Glocester, North Smithfield), Gordon Rogers (R-Dist. 21, Coventry, Foster, Scituate, West Greenwich), Thomas Paolino (R-Dist. 17, Lincoln, North Providence, North Smithfield), Leonidas P. Raptakis (D-Dist. 33, Coventry, West Greenwich), John Burke (D-Dist. 9, West Warwick), Mark  McKenny (D-Dist. 30, Warwick), Frank  Lombardi (D-Dist. 26, Cranston) and Frank Ciccone, III (D- Dist. 7, Providence, Johnston).

“Eliminating state income tax on Social Security benefits will be akin to giving Rhode Island retirees a raise. We must make Rhode Island a better place for retirees and not taxing Social Security income is a large step in that direction. It will help stem the flow of retirees leaving Rhode Island and taking their spending power with them.” says Morgan who made an argument in support of the legislation at the Senate Finance Committee last week, when it was scheduled for consideration, and held for further study.  A fiscal note has been requested, but has not been released.

Time to give older Rhode Islanders tax relief

“Eliminating the tax on Social Security benefits at the state level for seniors who have worked for decades, paying taxes on their hard-earned income, and contributing to Social Security with post-tax dollars, would boost the retirement income for much of Rhode Island’s vulnerable elderly population,” reasoned Morgan. “Social Security is part of the social safety net. It was never meant to fill state coffers; it was meant to carry people throughout their retirement years. It’s time to give our growing older population some tax relief by eliminating the income threshold, beginning with the 2024 tax year,” she said, noting that her legislation will help ensure that even more middle-class retirees and their families can keep more of their hard-earned benefits.

Sen. Walter Felag’s (D-Dist. 10, Bristol, Tiverton, Warren) legislative proposal, SB 246, cosponsored by Sens. Lou DiPalma (D-Dist. 12,  Little Compton, Middletown, Newport, Tiverton), Frank Lombardi (D-Dist. 26, Cranston), V. Susan Sosnowski, (D-Dist. 37, South Kingston) and Frank Ciccone, III (D-Dist. 7, Providence, Johnston), was also heard at the Senate Finance Committee, along with Morgan’s Social Security legislation.  This legislative proposal would not eliminate the state’s Social Security tax but increase income thresholds to $110,000 for single, and $140,000 for joint, filers. Like Morgan’s legislative proposal, the Committee recommended that Felag’s measure be held for further study. No fiscal note has been released yet on this legislative proposal.

With the cost of goods and necessary services increasing, Felag says that it was  crucial to help Social Security beneficiaries by throwing SB 248 into the legislative hopper. “By raising the tax exemption level, we can lessen the financial stress that many retirees on Social Security feel on a daily basis, keeping more of their hard-earned money in their pockets and bank accounts,” he says.

Sen. DiPalma, who serves as Chairman of the Senate Finance Committee, reported that a couple of proposals have been submitted and heard in the Senate Finance Committee.  “Both sponsors and witnesses made the case for why we need to continue to assist our seniors, especially during these inflationary and soon to be “slow-cessionary” periods. These proposals must and will be evaluated in the context of the overall budgetary review process, which is currently ongoing,” he says.

When asked if she ever considered becoming a cosponsor of Felag’s legislative proposal, Minority Leader Jessica de la Cruz stated, “I would have loved to, but I was unaware of his bill.”

“It’s not too late to bring Democratic and Republican Senators together to hammer out a compromise legislative proposal,” says de la Cruz, noting she will be discussing this possibility with Senate President Dominick Ruggerio (D-Dist.4, North Providence, Providence). 

Although I do not see eye to eye with my Democratic colleagues 100% of the time, we find common ground on many other issues,” says de la Cruz. ” I believe there would be bipartisan support for crafting a compromise piece of legislation if it ensured tax relief to retirees on Social Security.

Calls for passage of Social Security proposals

AARP State Director Catherine Taylor, representing over 128,000 members in Rhode Island, called for passage of SB 84 and SB 246. “They would protect the Social Security benefits of older Rhode Islanders,” helping them keep the benefits they have earned over a lifetime of hard work,” she said.

“Assuring that our members are financially secure in retirement is a key component of our advocacy,” stated Taylor, noting that Rhode Island is one of only 11 states that still tax hard-earned Social Security benefits. “State taxes on Social Security benefits in Rhode Island undermines the purpose of Social Security, which was designed to lift seniors out of poverty- not to fund state government,” she says.

“Now, when so many Americans are struggling to afford health care and other basic needs, the promise of Social Security is even more important,” adds Taylor.  

“Whether it is raising the income threshold under existing law, or a complete exemption of Social Security benefits from taxation, like 30 other states around the country, AARP supports all efforts to keep hard-earned money in the pockets of older Rhode Islanders,” Taylor told Senate Finance Committee members.

A Call to Action

According to the Healthy Aging 2020 report, Rhode Island’s older population is growing dramatically. Today, more than 240,000 Rhode Island residents are age 60 or older -  that’s 23% of the population. By 2040 that figure is expected to rise to almost 265,000.  In addition, the state has one of the highest proportions of adults aged 85 and older, of any state in the nation, ranking first in New England.

With the expected graying of the Ocean State’s population, now is the time for Rhode Island lawmakers to reduce the financial stress of Rhode Islanders who struggle to pay their bills and want to remain independent at home in the community.   

Although both Social Security legislative proposals have been held for further study, don’t get concerned, says Pare, the Senate’s Communication Director. “It is common to hold bills for further study on a first hearing, and that is almost always the case for bills with a fiscal impact, which would have to be incorporated into the budget bill when it is considered later in the legislative session,” he says. 

“There is an obvious bi-partisan appetite to provide tax relief to our growing aging population who have been greatly impacted during this pandemic. This is a significant opportunity for Senate Finance Chair Lou DiPalma to craft a compromise bill that will advance Rhode Island as an “age-friendly” state, says  Vincent Marzullo, who served 31 years as a career federal civil rights & social justice administrator at the National Service Agency.  Now is the time for both sides of the aisle to come together for a needed public action,” he says.

For details about 9 States With No State Income Tax, go to https://www.aarp.org/money/taxes/info-2020/states-without-an-income-tax.html

For details about 4 States That May Cut Taxes on Social Security Income, go to https://www.aarp.org/retirement/social-security/info-2023/cut-taxes-social-security-benefits.html

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RI Law ensures teaching of Holocaust, Genocides in public schools

Published in RINewsToday on July 12, 2021

The Rhode Island Holocaust and Genocide Education Coalition (RIHGEC) has successfully pushed state lawmakers to pass legislation that formalizes a commission to implement a 2016 law to require public schools to teach students about genocide and the Holocaust.  The 2016 law was introduced by Sen. Gayle L. Goldin (D-Dist. 3, Providence) and House Majority Whip Katherine S. Kazarian.

Under the legislation, RIHGEC will gather and disseminate Holocaust and genocide information, work with the Department of Education to update and promote statewide Holocaust and genocide education programs, and promote public awareness of issues relating to Holocaust and genocide education.  It would also oversee a Holocaust and Genocide Awareness month to continue to raise public awareness of horrific atrocities. 

In the final weeks of this year’s legislative session, RIHGC’s broad-based coalition, comprised of Jewish organizations, and Commission on Prejudice and Bias along with members of the Armenian, Jewish, Cambodian, and indigenous communities, would see their lobbying efforts gain traction leading to passage of legislation to create a permanent state commission to  promote and continually improve genocide and Holocaust education in schools.  

H 5650 A, entitled the “Rhode Island Holocaust and Genocide Education Commission,” quickly passed through the House because several lawmakers pushed hard for it. The efforts of Rep. Rebecca Kislak (D-Dist. 7, Providence), the legislation’s primary sponsor, and cosponsors House Majority Whip Katherine S. Kazarian (D-Dist. 63, East Providence, and Rep. Nathan W. Biah Sr. (D-Dist. 3, Providence) led to passage of the legislative proposal on May 18 by a vote of 77 to 0, with two lawmakers not voting.

On April 23, S 0840 A (the House bills companion measure) was introduced in the upper chamber and referred to the Senate Education Committee for consideration.  However, Sen. Gayle L. Goldin (D-Dist. 3, Providence), the  primary sponsor, and cosponsors Sens. Joshua Miller (D-District 28, Providence/Cranston), Hanna Gallo (D-District 27, Cranston), Thomas Paolino (R-District 17, Lincoln, North Providence, and North Smithfield) and Meghan Kallman (D-District 15, Pawtucket),  watched this legislative proposal sit in the Senate Committee for weeks, having been referred for further study. Oftentimes, this was a polite way of leadership to kill a legislative proposal. 

But, in the waning days of the legislative session, an intensive lobbying effort from RIHGE Coalition members including sending emails, making phone calls and sending informational packets to the Senate Education Committee finally led to the Senate Education Committee  passing S 0840 A and sending it to the Senate floor for consideration.  On July 1st, the legislative proposal passed by a vote of 36 to 1 with one lawmaker not voting and the other abstaining.

The legislative proposal was transmitted to Gov. Dan McKee on July 7 for his signature. The bill was transmitted to the Governor on July 7. He has until the 14th to sign or veto the bill, at which point if he has not acted it will become law without his signature.

According to Robert Trestan, New England Regional Director of the Anti-Defamation League, Rhode Island now joins 19 states that mandate Holocaust and genocide education, and 7 of those states include a commission or council to help implement the mandate.  Eleven states that do not have mandates have formed commissions or councils that develop educational programs about the Holocaust, he says.

“While we do not have data regarding the efficacy of these groups, it is key that experts, educators, and community members have a role in forming curricula and school programs on this important subject, says Trestan.

Rhode Island Law Puts Rhode Island in Forefront of Fighting Hate

“Rhode Island was in the forefront of passing legislation requiring the study of Holocaust and genocide education in its public schools,” says Marty Cooper, RIHGC’s Chair. “This was due to Rhode Islanders commitment to educate its students on this issue as it related to hate, bullying and overall racism nationally as well as globally,” he adds.

Cooper says that many states that passed similar legislation have a commission to oversee implementation and ongoing study of the Holocaust and genocides. What makes Rhode Island’s commission standout is it will also oversee a Holocaust and Genocide Awareness month. 

RIHGC will reach out to the state and the Commission, at the appropriate time, providing input of what has been done and what the coalition listed as goals, and action to be taken to help assure the newly established Commission moves forward with little, or no delay. “The coalition will also provide any material needed by the Commission and will be available to consult with the Commission when requested,” he says. 

“Genocide and Holocaust Education is more important than ever. With hatred toward minority communities on the rise we must continue to ensure our state teaches what happens when hatred is allowed to go unchecked,” says Adam Greenman, president and CEO of the Jewish Alliance of Greater Rhode Island.   “Never again must mean never again and I’m glad this commission will work to make that a reality,” he adds. 

Adds Gretchen Skidmore  Director, Education Initiatives, United States Holocaust Memorial Museum: We cannot anticipate how an educational mandate will be implemented in local schools, but the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum supports quality Holocaust education by providing free resources and trainings for educators in every state. We believe when done with rigor, Holocaust education should inspire students to think critically about how and why the Holocaust happened and what lessons it holds for us today.”

Thoughts from the Legislative Arena

“Teaching young people about the devastating  impact that the Holocaust and other genocides have had throughout the course of history is crucial to building a safe and just future for all,” said Gov. Dan McKee. “We must educate the next generations about the atrocities of the past to ensure it never happens again. I look forward to signing this legislation to provide all students in Rhode Island public schools with that education. This is an important step forward in putting an end to acts of hatred, anti-Semitism, and prejudice wherever they exist,” adds McKee.

President of the Senate Dominick J. Ruggerio said, “We need to ensure that students are educated about the atrocities of the past not just so that they have a full understanding of world history, but also so that they can recognize the conditions that lead to intolerance and oppression.”

“My hope is that, with the creation of a Genocide and Holocaust Education Commission, we raise awareness and understanding so that students realize how insidious the impact of hate can be,” said Speaker K. Joseph Shekarchi (D-Dist. 23, Warwick). “We just saw a horrific example of antisemitism not far away in Boston, where a rabbi was brutally attacked while standing in front of a menorah on the steps of a Jewish school. Incidents like this show that we need to continue to educate our children, so they understand that hateful ideology can cultivate real, physical and/or emotional repercussions. It’s incumbent upon all of us to combat hate in all forms.”

Senate Education Committee Chairwoman Sandra Cano said, “As a refugee who fled from violence in my native Colombia, I know firsthand the horrors of not knowing if you are safe in your own home. Senator Goldin’s legislation helps ensure that all Rhode Island students are educated about the Holocaust and genocides of the past, which is a critical first step to ensuring such terrible events are not repeated. The importance of this legislation is only magnified when we consider the hate and demonization of certain groups taking place right here in the United States today.”

“Given the hate and bigotry that is common in public discourse today, it is especially important to educate students about the incredible damage that prejudice and intolerance have caused throughout history,” says Goldin, whose grandparents fled eastern Europe to Canada during pogroms. Those of her family members who were unable to escape died in either the pogroms or the Holocaust.

The best way to ensure our future generations never repeat these actions is to teach them about the impact the Holocaust and other genocides have had in our world,” adds Goldin.

“Learning about our past provides perspective on current world events. It is also an opportunity for people to learn from one another about experiences of oppression,”  Goldin adds.

Paolino, a cosponsor of the Senate legislation, also lost family in the Armenian genocide.  “My relatives have a keen understanding of how hate and bigotry can escalate to reverberate through generations,” he said, stressing the importance of educating society on the warning signs of genocide. “Learning the history about these atrocities and how to prevent them will best protect our future,” adds Paolino.

Kislak noted that so many Rhode Islanders’ families are from countries that have been impacted by genocides. “Listening to each other’s stories and learning about those diverse histories will help us see the humanity in one another and build stronger communities, she says.    

First-Person Survivor Witnesses Dwindling  

Bill Benson, who interviews survivors of the Holocaust before live audiences at the U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum in Washington, D.C., sees first hand the importance of educating the world about the horrors of the Holocaust.  “Because of the coronavirus pandemic we are now providing the museum’s First-Person program virtually, he says.

Benson recently interviewed 90-year-old Irene Fogel Weiss, who survived incarceration at Auschwitz, a forced death march, and then at the end of the war absorbing the reality of the murder of most of her extended family in the Holocaust, the result of Nazi Germany’s fanatical genocidal drive to wipe out the Jewish population of Europe.

“She knows all too well that she is one of the remaining but quickly dwindling survivors of the Holocaust still able to share the pain and horror she witnessed and experienced first-hand,” says Benson.

“Sadly, there are people in the United States and elsewhere in the world who not only minimize the horror and scope of the Holocaust, but others who deny its reality entirely. If they are willing to do that just imagine their unwillingness to acknowledge much less condemn genocide in what seem like obscure places on the globe, like Myanmar, Syria, Rwanda, the Balkans, and elsewhere,” says Benson.

“Rhode Island’s legislature can help to transcend widespread ignorance and even denial of the Holocaust and genocide by establishing this Commission. Weiss will not be able to provide her first-person testimony indefinitely,” acknowledges Benson. “New well-informed voices must step forward. A Genocide and Holocaust Commission can help to educate and inform about the realities of genocide and help ensure new generations learn what they do not know so they can lend their voices to efforts to confront hate and end genocide,” he says.

Rhode Island’s newly established Commission will ensure that the Holocaust and Genocides that occurred throughout the world will never be forgotten by Rhode Islanders.  Our state built firmly on the principles of religious freedom now sends this message out to the world: “Never Again.”

The RIHGEC includes representatives from the Sandra Bornstein Holocaust Center, The Genocide Education Project, , as well as the general community, including members of the Armenian, Jewish, Cambodian, and indigenous community.

Herb Weiss, LRI’12, is a Pawtucket writer covering aging, health care and medical issues. To purchase Taking Charge: Collected Stories on Aging Boldly, a collection of 79 of his weekly commentaries, go to herbweiss.com

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