EP Representative Helder Cunha Off & Running: Tax Break Bills Introduced

EP Rep. Helder J. Cunha D-Dist. 64, introduced legislation (2017-H 5245) that increases the deduction for the state’s income tax for contributions to qualified tuition savings programs from $500 to $1,000 for individuals and $1,000 to $2,000 for joint filers, according to State House spokesperson Andrew Caruolo.

“With the price of higher education rising every year, tuition savings programs have become more critical to those hoping to afford the hefty price tag of higher learning for themselves and their families,” said Representative Cunha. “And, if families are using the tuition savings programs correctly, they should not be penalized with over-taxation either. This bill will allow our residents to continue to save for higher education while also keeping a few more dollars in their pockets during these trying fiscal times," added Cunha.

Cunha also introduced legislation for retiree tax break on sewer bills. Legislation (2017-H 5423) would provide an income tax credit of 25 percent for taxpayers over the age of 65 who pay a water or sewer bill on their primary residence.

“This legislation is needed because our retirees and elderly residents on fixed incomes are being crippled financially due to rising sewer and water costs on a yearly basis,” said Representative Cunha. “In East Providence alone, the sewer bills are rising beyond the means of our senior citizens’ ability to pay. We cannot ask our retirees to forego food and medicine in order to keep the water flowing in houses that they have lived in for decades. This bill will keep more money in our elderly residents’ pockets and keep them from having to make the terrible choice of moving from their homes or having running water,” he added.

According to the legislation, the tax credit cannot exceed $250 and would be applied to the taxpayers’ personal income tax obligation.

“This still doesn’t resolve East Providence’s biggest problem regarding our sewers but it is a good first step toward relief for our taxpayers and the East Providence delegation at the State House is hard at work to restructure our sewer bond so that our residents will not be saddled with rising sewer bills every single year,” added Representative Cunha.

The legislation has been referred to the House Committee on Finance and the cosponsors of the bill are Rep. Gregg Amore (D-Dist. 65, East Providence), Rep. Jean Philippe Barros (D-Dist. 59, Pawtucket), Rep. Katherine S. Kazarian (D-Dist. 63, East Providence), and Rep. Shelby Maldonado (D-Dist. 56, Central Falls).

In his first term in the State House after serving as Ward 2 councilman, Cunha has been appointed to the House Committee on Labor and Committee on Small Business. “I am honored to have been appointed to the Labor and the Small Business committees and I thank Speaker Mattiello and the rest of my colleagues for their vote of confidence to join these committees as a freshman legislator,” said Representative Cunha. “As a small business owner myself, I am aware of the daily pressures our state’s laborers and small business owners face and I am eager to tackle these problems head-on within both respective committees.”

The House Labor Committee deliberates legislation relating to workers’ compensation and labor laws. The Small Business Committee reviews legislation relating to the streamlining of licenses and permits, eliminating or decreasing bureaucratic steps and delays and uncoordinated or duplicative reviews and filings, and reducing associated added costs to businesses.