Americans for Tax Reform (ATR) commends Rhode Island gubernatorial candidate Aaron Guckian for signing the Taxpayer Protection Pledge.
So far, Aaron Guckian is the only gubernatorial candidate who has signed the pledge, a written commitment to Rhode Island taxpayers to “oppose and veto any and all efforts to increase taxes” once elected governor.
Guckian’s support for the Taxpayer Protection Pledge reflects a clear understanding of the challenges facing Rhode Island taxpayers. At a time when the state has no affordable metropolitan area, families are struggling with rising grocery costs, and businesses are closing their doors, Aaron Guckian recognizes that Rhode Island needs a reset built on lower taxes, fiscal responsibility and management, and economic growth.
His Rhode Island Works Smarter plan emphasizes permitting reform, more efficient government services, and policies that make the state more welcoming to businesses and investment. He’s also called for a long-term, sustainable budget that prioritizes innovation, work, and small business growth.
By signing the Taxpayer Protection Pledge, Guckian also creates a sharp contrast between himself and incumbent Democrat Governor Dan McKee.
Governor Dan McKee has overseen a budget that has grown by half a billion dollars, yet his administration and Democrats in the legislature continue to ask Rhode Islanders to pay more. Under McKee, Rhode Island has instituted a millionaire’s tax, a non-primary-residence tax, and increased burdensome regulations that make it harder to live, work, and invest in the Ocean State.
At a time when Rhode Islanders are leaving for lower-tax, more economically competitive states, policymakers should recognize that higher taxes and bigger government are a recipe for continued economic stagnation. Governor Dan McKee’s record of higher spending, higher taxes, and heavier regulation has done little to improve the state’s long-term competitiveness and has instead made it more difficult for families, workers, and businesses to succeed in Rhode Island. Aaron Guckian is offering a new approach.
Americans for Tax Reform created the Taxpayer Protection Pledge in 1985 to solidify candidates’ commitments to taxpayers. President Reagan urged all candidates to sign the Pledge, campaigning for and praising candidates who did so. Today, over 1,400 elected officials and candidates on the federal and state levels are Taxpayer Protection Pledge signers.
New candidates sign the Taxpayer Protection Pledge regularly. For the most up-to-date information on this race or any other, please visit the ATR Pledge Database.
