Ciccone Greenlights Smiley’s 8% Tax Increase for Providence
GoLocalProv News Team
Ciccone Greenlights Smiley’s 8% Tax Increase for Providence
On Friday night, he tried to shift the blame after he pushed the legislation. The bill allows the City of Providence to exceed the levy cap for fiscal year 2026 de facto, giving Providence Mayor Brett Smiley and the City Council the ability to increase taxes to 8%—one of the biggest tax increases in decades.
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The tax increase is expected to hit renters hard, as the tax increase will be passed along.
Ciccone, as the leader, could have blocked the legislation, but instead pushed it through the Senate.
In a statement, Ciccone said:
“It is extremely unfortunate that the Mayor and City Council have effectively backed the General Assembly, and especially the members of the Providence delegation, against a wall. Their approval of a city budget that relies on state action to increase revenue was irresponsible, and the additional burden this approach will place on local taxpayers – so many of whom are already struggling – is deplorable. Ultimately, as a member of the community and public official representing the city, I cannot ignore the near certainty of devastating cuts and severe negative impacts for everyone in Providence without the action that is being requested. As a result, I have reluctantly supported this legislation regarding a one-time allowance for a tax levy increase in fiscal 2026. Going forward, it is my unequivocal expectation that the Mayor and City Council will do everything possible to limit the additional burden placed on the people of Providence, both in fiscal 2026 and in the years to come.”