NEWPORT, R.I. (AP) — Newport city councilors and the city manager are pushing for an additional 1 percent for hotel and meal taxes to go to local communities.
According to a Rhode Island state budget document, Newport received $2.61 million in hotel taxes and $2.44 million in meals and beverage taxes in fiscal 2018. The Newport Daily News reports City Manager Joseph Nicholson Jr. says the request could net Newport an additional $4 million.
Nicholson says the city would allocate the tax increase revenue toward paying off the $100 million-plus school bond the city expects to seek in coming years.
Local state legislators were present for a meeting with the City Council and Nicholson on Saturday, and have asked him to draft language for the city’s proposed legislation.
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Information from: The Newport Daily News.
