Legalizing gay marriage in Rhode Island
could mean a $1.2 million economic boost for the state, a new study
has found.
The study, conducted by the Williams
Institute at the University of California, Los Angeles School of Law,
estimated that gay nuptials could generate nearly $1.2 million in new
government revenue, primarily from taxes, over three years. Over the
same period, the state would receive an estimated $786,000 in new
income taxes from married gay couples filing their state taxes
jointly.
Rhode Island lawmakers last year
abandoned efforts to approve a gay marriage bill in favor of civil
unions over the loud opposition of many gay rights activists.
A gay marriage bill is part of Marriage
Equality Rhode Island's (MERI) 2012 legislative agenda. The measure
is expected to be sponsored by Representative Art Handy in the House
and Senator Rhonda Perry in the Senate.
Governor Lincoln Chafee signed civil
unions into law last year but added that he supports marriage for gay
couples.
(Related: Rhode
Island's Stephanie Chafee officiates over civil union of gay couple.)