Rhode Island
Proposed tax hike would hurt small businesses and our communities | Opinion
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.
Rhode Island is built on the strength of small, family-owned businesses. They are the backbone of our economy, the employers of our neighbors, and the reason our communities have character and opportunity. I know this not just as a legislator, but as someone who works every day in a family business alongside the people I care about most. That’s why I am concerned about the impact of the proposed “millionaires tax” on businesses and our communities.
While it may sound like a measure aimed at a narrow group of high earners, the reality is far different. Many family-owned businesses – especially those structured as pass-through entities – report their business income on personal tax returns. That means this tax doesn’t just target “millionaires” in the traditional sense; it directly impacts small and mid-sized businesses that reinvest their earnings into payroll, equipment, expansion and employee benefits.
In my case, our family business is a private ambulance service. Every day, we are responsible for delivering critical care to Rhode Islanders, particularly seniors and our most medically fragile neighbors. That responsibility comes with significant costs. Ambulances, lifesaving medical equipment, and the technology needed to support our crews are expensive, and they must be maintained and updated regularly to meet the highest standards of care.
Tax increases like this directly impact our ability to make those investments. These are not abstract tradeoffs – they have real consequences for the level of care we can provide. For businesses like mine, margins matter. Every dollar that goes out the door in taxes is a dollar that can’t be used to hire another worker, increase wages, buy new equipment or sponsor the local Little League team. These are real decisions that affect real people.
Supporters of this proposal often frame it as a fairness issue. But fairness should also mean recognizing the role that employers play in creating opportunity. When government makes it more expensive to operate a business in Rhode Island, we risk pushing investment – and jobs – elsewhere. Policies like this don’t exist in a vacuum; they shape decisions about where businesses grow and where families choose to put down roots.
We don’t have to guess what would happen if we raised taxes here – we can just look to Massachusetts. They passed a millionaires tax and the latest data shows a steady stream of high earners leaving for lower-tax states like New Hampshire and, you guessed it, Rhode Island. We could take advantage of Massachusetts’ mistake and build on the momentum we have built in recent years. We’ve seen the benefits of thoughtful policy decisions that encourage investment and support job creation and tax revenues are up. But progress is fragile. Policies like the millionaires tax risk undoing that work by sending the message that success will be penalized rather than encouraged.
As both a business owner and a legislator, I believe strongly that we can – and must – strike a better balance.
We can support public services, invest in our communities, and maintain fiscal responsibility without resorting to policies that put our local businesses at a disadvantage. We can grow our economy by creating an environment where businesses want to stay, expand and hire.
Let’s focus on solutions that strengthen our economy, support our workforce, and ensure that family-owned businesses like mine and so many others across our state continue to thrive.
Rhode Island’s future depends on it.
Jacquelyn Baginski is a state representative from Cranston.
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.
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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.
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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.
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