Concerning the article in last week’s Phoenix, “Landlords will pay more in new tax system,” the headline should actually read, “Bristol rents will increase in 2025 due to new tax system.” But that of course would potentially set off a public outcry, so it’s easier to hide what’s really going on.

Tax Assessor Michelle DiMeo and Town Administrator Steven Contente would prefer to pretend that this tax increase will not be passed on to the 1,400-plus renters in our town. As homeowners, DiMeo and Contente would actually benefit from this tax law, because as they said, “it is aimed to help reduce or limit the property tax burden on traditional residential owners,” as if renters have no “traditional” standing in Bristol and have deeper pockets than residential owners.

Town Council Chairman Nathan Calouro is also in favor of this new tax, while willfully ignoring that this tax increase will end up being shifted to those least likely to afford it, Bristol’s rental community.

DiMeo, Contente and Calouro are looking across the bridge to the Big Dogs on Aquidneck Island who are rolling in the money due to large tax revenues provided by transient rental properties. What DiMeo, Contente and Calouro fail to acknowledge is that thankfully we are not Newport or Middletown because long-term rentals are no longer affordable for the average person there.

Renters in Bristol vote just like “traditional property owners” do. Maybe Tax Assessor Michelle DiMeo, Town Administrator Steven Contente and Town Council Chairman Nathan Calouro should keep that in mind as they prepare to vote this law into effect in 2025.

Margie McLaughlin
Bristol