RI bill would repeal new 7-percent tax on pet care

PROVIDENCE, R.I. (AP) -- A group of House lawmakers has introduced a bill to repeal Rhode Island's recently enacted 7-percent tax on pet grooming and other services.

The tax on pet care services started Oct. 1.

Pet groomers have protested the tax, saying it would hurt business.

Rep. K. Joseph Shekarchi (D-Warwick) has introduced a bill that would repeal the tax. He says the amount of tax the state will collect is negligible and could mean some small businesses can't stay open.

Several lawmakers said when the tax passed that they didn't want to tax pet care services but had to do it to balance the budget.