rhode island tax news - Rhode Island Division of Taxation - RI.gov

PAGE 6RHODE ISLAND TAX NEWSTAX ADMINISTRATOR WINS AWARDhode Island TaxR Administrator DavidM. Sullivan has been chosenwinner of the RhodeIsland Public ExpenditureCouncil’s Gary S. Sasseaward.The award, given fordistinguished public service,was formally bestowedupon Sullivan duringa ceremony beforemore than 500 businessand government leaders ata meeting at the RhodeIsland Convention Centerin Providence in November.Presenting the award wasJohn C. Simmons, who isexecutive director ofRIPEC, a nonprofit publicpolicy research organization.“In his time at theDivision of Taxation,David consistently demonstratesa clear command ofthe issues at hand, and heis able to provide creative,insightful and forwardlookinganalyses of themajor taxation issues facingthe state,” Simmonssaid in his speech. “DavidAward winnerRhode Island Tax Administrator David M. Sullivan (above) was presented with the GaryS. Sasse award by the Rhode Island Public Expenditure Council (RIPEC) at a recent ceremonyat the Rhode Island Convention Center in Providence.has also cultivated longstandingrelationships with members ofboth the private and public sector,enabling him to build consensusaround complex issues. Theserelationships are a testament toboth his leadership skills and hissensitivity to the economic issuesfacing the state,” Simmons stated.“It’s been said that tax administrationis tax policy – and as TaxAdministrator, David has workedtirelessly to move Rhode Island’stax policy forward,” Simmons(Photo courtesy of Rhode Island Public Expenditure Council)told the crowd. “Whether it ishis behind-the-scenes work,providing information and guidanceto the legislature and staff,or in his role as the public face ofthe Division of Taxation, Davidhas consistently shown his deepknowledge of tax policy and hiscommitment to thoughtful reform,”Simmons said.RIPEC said it presents thestate-level award each year to acareer public employee whomakes “a sustained, superiorcontribution in the serviceof the Rhode Island taxpayer.”It is given to “anoutstanding state employee,”RIPEC said. Theaward is named in honor ofGary S. Sasse, formerRIPEC executive director,under whose leadershipRIPEC produced more than75 major studies for governors,mayors, the legislature,and nonprofit groupson state and local policy,government operations, andfiscal and economic issues.Sasse is a former director ofthe state Department ofRevenue and Department ofAdministration.Sullivan, formerly Delawaredeputy director ofrevenue, has a master’s degreein taxation fromWidener University and abachelor’s degree fromLebanon Valley College.He oversees an agencywith about 200 employeesand is responsible for administeringsales, income,and other taxes, which togetherbring in about $2.5billion in annual revenue.SULLIVAN NAMED TO NATIONAL ‘TOP TEN’ LISTRhode Island Tax AdministratorDavid M. Sullivan hasbeen named one of the top10 tax administrators in thecountry by State Tax Notes,an influential weekly taxpublication that covers statetax news nationwide.State Tax Notes, publishedcipients were selected basedon interviews, polling, andinput from the State TaxNotes editorial staff.The magazine named Margaret“Missy” Fulton, assistantcommissioner of theNew Hampshire Departmentof Revenue, as its taxby the nonprofit Tax Analysts,in Virginia, issued itsfirst annual awards editionin December.The magazine’s staff compileda list of “the very bestin our profession in fourcategories,” including taxadministrator. Award readministratorof the year. Atthe same time, State Tax Notesnamed nine others to its list ofthe top 10 tax administratorsnationwide. (The nine selectionswere not ranked.) BesidesFulton, Sullivan was theonly tax administrator in NewEngland to have been namedto the list.