Rhode Island
‘Millionaires tax’ at a crossroads as RI’s budget finds unexpected windfall
RI House speaker answers why RI won’t ‘pause’ millionaires tax push
House Speaker K. Joseph Shekarchi fielded a question on whether lawmakers might pause efforts to pass a millionaires tax.
The fight over Rhode Island’s proposed “millionaires tax” is intensifying as lawmakers prepare their version of the state budget for the year with an unexpected $233 million tax collection windfall.
The business-backed Rhode Island Public Expenditure Council, one of the groups leading opposition to higher taxes on the wealthy, on May 12 released a new report arguing that states with higher income tax rates see more people leaving for states with lower rates.
“Given the experience of Massachusetts and the positive net migration of Bay State residents to Rhode Island over the last several years, it would be particularly risky to adopt a top income tax rate that could undermine this trend,” said RIPEC CEO Michael DiBiase. “Taking on this risk is even more unwise given the recent news that state revenues will be $233 million greater than expected. There is no need to raise taxes – instead the state should focus on fiscal discipline and growing the economy.”
Massachusetts began collecting a 4% surcharge on income over $1 million in 2023 and Rhode Island leaders hoped rich Bay State residents put off by the hike would move to Rhode Island.
On the other side of the issue, the left-leaning Economic Progress Institute argued that the better-than-expected state revenue collections, while welcome, do not cover all of the money Rhode Island could be potentially losing due to cut in last year’s One Big Beautiful Bill Act.
The Economic Progress Institute is pushing for a more aggressive tax increase − a 3% surtax on income over $640,000 − than McKee’s proposal where the higher tax rate would kick in at income over $1 million.
“It remains imperative the General Assembly pass the proposed surtax on the top one percent this year,” the EPI said in a news release. ” The surtax would generate $203 million per year in revenue, which would bring us closer to: bridging the gulf of lost federal funds, preserving critical programs, and closing the many long-standing equity gaps and crises in healthcare, education, housing, childcare, public transit, and so much more.”
Their release comes days after the Service Employees International Union Rhode Island State Council rallied at the State House in support of the “Rhode Island’s Revenue Bill,” the tax on income over $640,000. The May 7 rally could be heard during former House speaker K. Joseph Shekarchi’s farewell address.
What is in new RIPEC report?
RIPEC’s latest report finds that:
- Between 2020 and 2025, states with a higher top income tax rate saw higher net out-migration than states with a lower tax rate
- During the post-pandemic period of strong revenue collections, more states have lowered income taxes than raised them
- More residents moved to Rhode Island from Massachusetts (4,796) than any other state from 2020 to 2023 by a large margin. (New York was second at 1,924.)
- Taxpayers leaving Massachusetts in 2023 were on the wealthier side in 2023, making more than $200,000 per year, compared to 2022.
What does it not show?
The IRS data RIPEC analyzed only covers tax filers who make $200,000 or more in Adjusted Gross Income, so it does not show how Massachusetts residents making more than $1 million, the group whose taxes went up, reacted to the change.
And it does not include migration patterns and tax changes for 2024 or 2025.
In its release urging an income tax increase, the EPI said it estimates the state will lose more than $400 million in federal revenue starting in the fiscal year that starts July1, 202,7 from provisions in the One Big Beautiful Bill Act.
“Lawmakers need to be proactive for the many needs, gaps, and crises we have now as well as what’s to come – including likely more federal cuts and an upcoming fiscal cliff,” the EPI release said. “Our wealthiest Rhode Islanders can afford to do more, especially with an average annual tax break of nearly $59,000 from Washington.”
The millionaires tax in McKee’s budget is estimated to generate $135.3 million in new state revenue in a full year.
The surcharge on the 1% of earners − starting at income of $640,000 per year − is estimated to generate $203 million per year.
PROVIDENCE (WPRI) — Cases of the H5N1 strain of avian influenza were confirmed in some birds at Antonelli Poultry in Providence, according to the Rhode Island departments of Health and Environmental Management.
The cases were found in live ducks and chickens during routine quarterly testing. The birds were from out-of-state dealers.
In a press release Saturday, the health department shared that the state veterinarian had to conduct USDA-required euthanasia procedures on 445 asymptomatic birds in order to prevent the disease from spreading further.
While cases of the H5N1 strain are rare in humans, RIDOH is monitoring all staff for 10 days for possible symptoms of the disease.
Antonelli Poultry is set to be closed for 5 days once the infected birds have been removed and the business is properly sanitized. The business is cooperating with the DEM and RIDOH.
The health department is advising anyone who bought poultry from Antonelli Poultry between June 9 and June 12 to double bag the meat and throw it out. For those who may have eaten the poultry, Department of Health Director Dr. Jerry Larkin said the chance of getting sick is still low.
“Cooking poultry to the proper internal temperature of 165° kills bacteria and viruses, including avian influenza A viruses,” Larkin explained in the release. “If you have properly cooked and eaten chicken from Antonelli Poultry, the risk of becoming ill is very low; however, if you develop symptoms of avian influenza, you should seek medical care.”
This is Rhode Island’s first confirmed domestic bird case of avian influenza in 2026.
Download the WPRI 12 and Pinpoint Weather 12 apps to get breaking news and weather alerts.
Watch 12 News Now on WPRI.com or with the free WPRI 12+ TV app.
Follow us on social media:
PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WJAR) — The Rhode Island Department of Health and Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management said that 445 birds at a bird market in Providence were euthanized after the detection of avian flu during routine quarterly testing.
The department said that the asymptomatic birds were located at Antonelli Poultry.
The business must also remain closed until five days after the birds were disposed of and the entire business was cleaned and sanitized.
“Because staff at Antonelli Poultry may have been exposed to avian influenza, and out of an abundance of caution, RIDOH is monitoring all staff for 10 days for symptoms of avian influenza,” a release said.
To prevent any foodborne illness, RIDOH recommended:
- Wash hands, utensils, and cutting boards before and after contact with raw poultry, meat, seafood, and eggs.
- Keep raw poultry and meat away from food that won’t be cooked—like fruits and vegetables.
- Cook food to the proper temperature and use a food thermometer to check the food’s internal temperature. You cannot tell by looking at food if it is cooked to the proper temperature.
The following recommendations were also given to avoid avian flu:
- Avoid direct contact with birds or other animals infected with, or suspected to be infected with, avian influenza.
- Avoid direct contact with sick or dead wild birds, poultry, or other animals.
- Do not touch surfaces or materials contaminated with saliva, mucous, or animal feces from wild or domestic birds or other animals with confirmed or suspected avian influenza.
- Do not touch or drink raw milk (unpasteurized milk), especially from animals with confirmed or suspected avian influenza.
- Do not handle any sick or dead wild birds or other animals without wearing personal protective equipment (PPE).
More information on avian flu in humans can be found here.
BE THE FIRST TO COMMENT
More information on avian flu in animals can be found here.
The Rhode Island Lottery offers multiple draw games for those aiming to win big.
Here’s a look at June 12, 2026, results for each game:
Winning Mega Millions numbers from June 12 drawing
09-17-24-39-51, Mega Ball: 03
Check Mega Millions payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Numbers numbers from June 12 drawing
Midday: 0-2-9-1
Evening: 2-2-6-0
Check Numbers payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Wild Money numbers from June 12 drawing
01-04-07-13-24, Extra: 15
Check Wild Money payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Millionaire for Life numbers from June 12 drawing
06-13-22-35-36, Bonus: 01
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.
-
New York31 minutes agoVideo: Fans Celebrate Knicks’ First N.B.A. Title in 53 Years
-
Los Angeles, Ca36 minutes agoKamala Harris surprises diners at The Abbey in West Hollywood
-
Detroit, MI58 minutes agoReview: Ambitious chef’s second restaurant brings promise to Midtown
-
San Francisco, CA1 hour agoWhere to watch Chicago Cubs vs San Francisco Giants: TV channel, start time, streaming for June 14
-
Dallas, TX1 hour agoQuiet Cowboys free agent signing may not survive the summer
-
Miami, FL1 hour agoAuthorities searching for person who may have gone overboard in Biscayne Bay
-
Boston, MA1 hour ago
Where to watch Texas Rangers vs Boston Red Sox: TV channel, start time, streaming for June 14
-
Denver, CO2 hours ago‘Full send, full speed;’ Red Bull brings Soapbox racing back to Denver
