Please help us stop the adoption of Article 11 in the 2016 Rhode Island budget by signing this petition. Article 11 proposes a 13% tax on short term rentals and an additional property tax on all second homes valued at over $1,000,000.  

If adopted, the proposed taxes will drastically affect the cost of vacation rentals on Block Island and other areas of the state. Vacationing in Rhode Island will become cost prohibitive for many of our visitors. This will ultimately have a negative impact on our tourism industry as visitors will seek out vacations in states that do not levy such a hefty tax. Rental homes will not be the only businesses affected. Shops, restaurants, transportation services, and maintenance companies will all feel the impact of this proposal.

The adoption of article 11 will send a bleak message to homeowners and visitors, the very people that have kept our economy going in these tough economic times. This petition asks our leaders to reject the proposed article 11 and send a clear message to the Governor's office that it will be harmful to Block Island and Rhode Island. Please sign and let your voice be heard.