August sales tax holiday proposed for RI

PROVIDENCE, R.I. – Consumers would get a sales tax-free weekend in Rhode Island this summer under a bill proposed by House lawmakers.

Rep. Deborah Ruggiero’s bill would free people from paying the state’s 7 percent sales tax on many purchases of $2,500 or less during the third weekend in August. The House Finance Committee was scheduled to debate the proposal Wednesday.

The tax break would not apply to business. It would not cover cars, motorboats, meals, telecommunication services, gas, electricity or tobacco products.

Republican Gov. Don Carcieri has previously called for similar sales tax holidays, but lawmakers in the Democratic-dominated General Assembly have not supported the plan.