Thursday, February 13, 2025 

This week, the Special Commission on Veterans Affairs met to discuss a bill currently pending before the Rhode Island General Assembly which would allow the Providence City Council to set and adjust property tax exemptions for the city’s military veterans, which are currently capped at the state level.

Under the leadership of Chairman Juan M. Pichardo, the Special Commission proposed this change to state law to enable the City of Providence to lessen the tax burden for those who have honorably served their country in the armed forces. 

“Providence veterans have given so much in service of our city, state, and country,” said Chairman Pichardo, a veteran who also serves as President Pro Tempore of the City Council.

“The commissioners and staff have done the research and recommended the bill to the General Assembly with the support of Mayor Smiley. We are ready to introduce this ordinance as soon as the state bill passes the General Assembly. This change will have a meaningful benefit for our veterans, to whom we owe an enormous debt of gratitude.”

H 5307, which was introduced in the Rhode Island House of Representatives by Representative Anthony DeSimone (D-Dist. 5, Providence), would authorize the City to set a specific dollar amount at which qualifying veterans would be exempt from paying a portion of their property taxes. The senate bill will be introduced by Senator Frank Ciccone (D-Dist. 7, Providence, Johnston).

At their regularly scheduled meeting, the Special Commission also voted unanimously to appoint Joseph Iannucci as vice chair. Commissioner Iannucci is a longtime Providence resident, retired Providence police officer, and veteran.

The Special Commission was formed to advocate for veterans living in the City and to establish a veterans parade in Providence.