Rhode Island Dem Proposes Taxing COVID-19 Unvaccinated Double On State Income Taxes

A Democrat in Rhode Island has proposed a new bill that would tax residents who have not been vaccinated against COVID-19 double on state income taxes.

The legislation was introduced by progressive state Senator Samuel W. Bell, who cited “a crisis with the pandemic” to justify the proposed policy. The bill states that every state resident, starting at age 16, needs to be vaccinated or face financial penalties.

“Every person of at least sixteen (16) years of age who is eligible for immunization against COVID-19 and who resides in the State of Rhode Island, works in the State of Rhode Island, or pays personal income taxes to the State of Rhode Island pursuant to chapter 30 of title 44 shall be required to be immunized against COVID-19,” the bill says.

The senator also referenced his young son’s lung disease in explaining why he introduced the bill.

“Thousands of Rhode Islanders have died. I’ve had really painful calls from constituents who can’t go to the store because they’re immuno-compromised, who have lost loved ones to this pandemic, who are really ill and not fully recovered, suffering long-term effects,” Bell said. – READ MORE