Rhode Island
McKee outlines ‘game plan’ for R.I., but ball will be in General Assembly’s court – The Boston Globe
But once the governor proposes his budget Thursday, there is no guarantee the House and Senate will follow his playbook.
For example, in last year’s State of the State speech, McKee called for reducing the state’s 7 percent sales tax rate to 6.85 percent to save taxpayers about $35 million a year. But the Assembly rejected that idea, with Shekarchi, a Warwick Democrat, saying, “There were other priorities in my caucus. Unfortunately, it was a policy decision.”
In this year’s State of the State speech, one of the lines that drew the loudest applause was when McKee said, “This year, let’s finally pass an assault weapons ban in Rhode Island.”
But soon after the speech, Ruggerio, a North Providence Democrat, reiterated his opposition to a state ban on assault weapons. “That needs to happen on a national level,” he said. “You can’t have one state that has a ban and another state that doesn’t.”
In Tuesday’s speech, McKee outlined some big-ticket proposals, including a $100 million housing production bond, plus bond referendums for a University of Rhode Island life sciences school, a Rhode Island College cybersecurity program, and a State Archives and History Center.
But Ruggerio sounded skeptical about the housing bond, saying the state has already approved more than $300 million for housing. “Spend what you have and if you need more, come to see us afterward,” he said.
When this year’s legislative session began on Jan. 2, Shekarchi warned that, “This year, there are some very tough decisions ahead,” adding that “the influx of new federal pandemic relief is finished.”
But some of those proposals dovetail with Shekarchi’s emphasis on housing and life sciences. “I thought it was a good speech,” the House speaker said. “I thought he checked a lot of themes that are important to Rhode Islanders, important to members of the chamber.”
Shekarchi said McKee’s proposed bond items total about $300 million, but he said that matches the amount of state debt that is “coming off the books.” At this point in the year, budgeting is based on projections, he said.
“But I think it’s certainly within an affordable range,” Shekarchi said of the governor’s proposals.
After Tuesday night’s speech, Representative David Morales, a Providence Democrat, walked through the State House rotunda after, noting the governor hadn’t said a word about the Rhode Island Public Transit Authority — although some legislators say the agency needs $110 million to stay on track.
“There was no mention of RIPTA even though they are on the verge of a fiscal cliff as a result of the lack of state investments over the years,” he said, citing the potential for service cuts.
Morales also said he wished he’d heard McKee address staffing shortages in the Department of Human Services and the potential for layoffs of social workers and behavior specialists in Providence schools. And while McKee proposed a $100 million housing bond, Morales said, building new homes takes years and the state needs to address rental costs now.
“I did not hear a speech that reflects the reality of working Rhode Islanders across the state,” he said.
Secretary of State Gregg M. Amore praised McKee for proposing a bond item for a State Archives and History Center. He said noted Rhode Islanders have been excited to get an up-close look at the Independent Man statue, which was removed last month from atop the State House for the second time in history because its base had split.
“Rhode Islanders are proud of their history and want the opportunity to see it up close,” Amore said. “A new Rhode Island State Archives and History Center would provide that opportunity — as well as opportunities for tourists from all over the country and the world to learn more about Rhode Island’s critical role in the founding of our nation, and its many achievements since.”
General Treasurer James A. Diossa thanked McKee for mentioning the Secure Choice Act, which would create a portable individual retirement savings program for Rhode Islanders working at businesses with as few as five employees. Administered by the state, the new program would give employees a chance to save for retirement through payroll deductions at no added cost to employers.
“Rhode Island is ranked near the bottom of the nation in private sector employees with retirement plans,” Diossa said. “This legislation will ensure that more Rhode Islanders can look forward to dignity and security in retirement after a lifetime of hard work.”
Attorney General Peter F. Neronha has acknowledged he is considering running for governor in 2026 because of what he sees as state government’s failure to act with urgency on issues such as climate change and health care. And he cited those issues when asked for a response to McKee’s State of the State speech, which noted that the Revolution Wind offshore wind project is set to begin construction this year.
“Addressing climate change will take more than an investment in wind — much more,” Neronha said. “We are too far behind in our work to meet our Act on Climate goals,” he said, noting Massachusetts just issued its first climate report card.
In his speech, McKee said he plans to sign an executive order for a working group focused on improving the state’s healthcare systems. But Neronha said, “I don’t believe that our healthcare crisis can be squarely addressed through the resurrection of a 25-member commission” that is “nowhere nimble or fast enough to bring the change we need.”
McKee set a goal of increasing per capita income by $20,000 by the year 2030. And Neronha said that would help the imbalance in hospital reimbursements weighted too heavily toward public payers vs. private commercial payers.
Also, Neronha said he supports First Lady Susan McKee’s anti-litter campaign. “As someone who used to pick it up as a teenager when I worked for the town and loves the state’s natural beauty, I agree it’s a scourge,” he said.
Edward Fitzpatrick can be reached at edward.fitzpatrick@globe.com. Follow him @FitzProv.
A new era for State Troopers in southern RI
Closing the State Police barracks facilities in Wyoming and Wickford marks the end of an era in community policing
Republican candidate for lieutenant governor John Loughlin wants the office to become the Rhode Island inspector general his party has been seeking in vain for years.
Loughlin, a former state representative, said on May 11 that, if elected, he would staff the underutilized office with people who would help him expose “fraud, waste, abuse, and government corruption.”
“Rhode Islanders are sick and tired of watching their tax dollars disappear into a black hole of inefficiency, cronyism, and outright corruption while the General Assembly talks a big game but delivers nothing − year after year after year,” Loughlin said in a news release. “For more than two decades, the legislature has failed to create a true Inspector General with real investigative power. Enough is enough. If they won’t do it, the Lieutenant Governor’s Office will − starting on day one.”
Why turn the lieutenant governor into an inspector general?
The Rhode Island Constitution gives the lieutenant governor little to no authority beyond being available in case the governor is unable to finish their term. That’s prompted some to call it a “do nothing” office and others to propose abolishing it.
“Frankly, the current workload of the office leaves ample time and resources to do far more for taxpayers than ceremonial appearances and ribbon-cuttings,” Loughlin said in his news release. “Rhode Islanders deserve a Lieutenant Governor’s Office that works every day to protect their money and hold government accountable.”
The lieutenant governor’s office has a budget of $1.4 million, which Loughlin said is enough to staff and run an effective investigative team made up of “certified auditors, investigators, and compliance professionals” to review state agency spending and contracts.
He acknowledged that the lieutenant governor does not have subpoena power, but believes that investigations can be completed utilizing public records requests and gathering publicly-available data.
Loughlin, who ended his talk radio show earlier this year when he announced his campaign for governor, said he would communicate his findings through “RI Report” publications, news briefings and podcasts.
He said he would also make the office’s resources available to city and town leaders.
Republicans have been fighting for an inspector general
Rhode Island Republicans have for years promised to lower state spending by rooting out government waste, fraud and abuse. The last GOP Rhode Island governor, Donald Carcieri, launched a “Fiscal Fitness” program that aimed to save money and find efficiencies.
Democrats criticized Carcieri’s tenure for featuring exorbitant privatization and outsourcing.
Since Carcieri, the idea of creating an independent inspector general similar to those in other states has become a holy grail for Rhode Island Republicans, but the Democratic General Assembly has had little interest in it.
“If our office saves just 1% from Rhode Island’s bloated state budget, the savings would return more than ten times the entire cost of the Lieutenant Governor’s Office to taxpayers – and that’s only the beginning,” Loughlin said in the news release.
The Rhode Island Lottery offers multiple draw games for those aiming to win big.
Here’s a look at May 10, 2026, results for each game:
Winning Numbers numbers from May 10 drawing
Midday: 9-9-9-0
Evening: 5-5-0-9
Check Numbers payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Wild Money numbers from May 10 drawing
01-13-14-16-32, Extra: 02
Check Wild Money payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Millionaire for Life numbers from May 10 drawing
01-03-20-35-46, Bonus: 05
Check Millionaire for Life payouts and previous drawings here.
Feeling lucky? Explore the latest lottery news & results
Are you a winner? Here’s how to claim your prize
- Prizes less than $600 can be claimed at any Rhode Island Lottery Retailer. Prizes of $600 and above must be claimed at Lottery Headquarters, 1425 Pontiac Ave., Cranston, Rhode Island 02920.
- Mega Millions and Powerball jackpot winners can decide on cash or annuity payment within 60 days after becoming entitled to the prize. The annuitized prize shall be paid in 30 graduated annual installments.
- Winners of the Millionaire for Life top prize of $1,000,000 a year for life and second prize of $100,000 a year for life can decide to collect the prize for a minimum of 20 years or take a lump sum cash payment.
When are the Rhode Island Lottery drawings held?
- Powerball: 10:59 p.m. ET on Monday, Wednesday, and Saturday.
- Mega Millions: 11:00 p.m. ET on Tuesday and Friday.
- Lucky for Life: 10:30 p.m. ET daily.
- Millionaire for Life: 11:15 p.m. ET daily.
- Numbers (Midday): 1:30 p.m. ET daily.
- Numbers (Evening): 7:29 p.m. ET daily.
- Wild Money: 7:29 p.m. ET on Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday.
This results page was generated automatically using information from TinBu and a template written and reviewed by a Rhode Island editor. You can send feedback using this form.
Watch: Khano Smith speaks with media after RIFC drew Tampa Bay
Watch as Khano Smith speaks with media after RIFC drew Tampa Bay
PAWTUCKET — JJ Williams finally had his space and rose to the opportunity.
The Rhode Island FC striker, deep in the attacking zone, came back to a cross and headed Nick Scardina’s service to the near post to salvage the night for Rhode Island. Williams’ goal landed in the 86th minute to draw Tampa Bay Rowdies, 1-1, in rain-soaked Pawtucket.
It’s the third draw in USL Championship play for Rhode Island at Centreville Bank Stadium this season. RIFC was turning in a familiar performance before snagging the tie against the league-leading Rowdies as Williams supplied his third regular-season goal of the year. The draw is the first time RIFC has earned a result after the opposition opened the scoring since its 1-1 tie vs. Birmingham Legion FC on July 5, 2025.
Rhode Island now travels to USL League One side Portland Hearts of Pine for its second game of the 2026 Prinx Tires USL Cup group stage on Saturday, May 16 at 4 p.m. The club returns to Pawtucket on May 23 against Brooklyn FC.
“All night they made it tough because they were doubling,” Williams said of Tampa Bay. “And wherever I went to, they were going contact first, especially in this league with no [Video Assistant Referee] … but on that one, the ball was so good that they spun around, and then I was able to make good contact.”
Rhode Island had a string of missed chances in the first 15 minutes that fed into a goal for Tampa Bay and then a triple substitution in the second half that provided little spark. Max Schneider’s cross from right of the box found Pedro Dolabella at the far post for a clinical header in the 29th minute in front of an announced attendance of 6,790.
The game’s first score came just 10 minutes after attempts from Hugo Bacharach and Jojea Kwizera were saved and Williams sailed an open shot past the bar.
“We tried to correct some of those things that we struggled with last week,” Williams said. “Getting to the ball, making tackles, making a stick, I think that we weren’t as clean in possession as we would have been, especially as we won the ball and played forward. We had a lot of turnovers in the first half where we could have seen more chances, but we did well to weather the storm early and create some. But for me, I [have] to bury that first one.”
Rhode Island creates plenty of chances — it is tied for fourth with 112 attempts — but has just 12 goals this season. If it had finished one of the early chances against Tampa Bay, it would’ve shifted the tenor of the match and forced the visitors to play outside of its form. But the final scoring sequence is still missing with the summer months coming soon.
“Happy with the spirit, happy with the effort, happy with the fight,” RIFC coach Khano Smith said. “You’ve seen that a lot with our team. They just fought to the end, never gave up, kept pushing. Ultimately, it’s two more points dropped at home, and we need to find a way to stop doing that. We need to be ruthless – just ruthless in front of the goal.”
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