Rhode Island

Rhode Island’s millionaire’s tax a ‘riverboat gamble’ | Opinion

Published

2 months ago

April 4, 2026

Press Room

Rhode Island’s millionaire’s tax a ‘riverboat gamble’ | Opinion

Gary Sasse
| Guest columnist

Rhode Island reformed its tax code after 2009, improving its business tax climate ranking from 46th to 40th.
Democratic gubernatorial candidates are now proposing to raise the top income tax rate from 5.99% to 8.99% for incomes over $1 million.
Supporters of the tax increase believe it will have minimal impact on growth, while opponents fear it will harm state competitiveness.
The author suggests key questions must be answered about the economic impact before implementing such a significant tax policy change.

In the 2009 State of the State address Governor Don Carcieri said he was “tired of people writing stories about Rhode Island being ‘tax hell’.” In response the governor convened a Tax Policy Strategic Workgroup. As state director of revenue, I chaired the Workgroup. We were charged with developing a tax strategy so that Rhode Island’s tax structure would be a competitive advantage in retaining jobs and recruiting businesses.

Over the next few legislative sessions, the state’s tax code was reformed. The top marginal income tax rate was reduced from 9.90 percent to 5.99 percent. As a quid pro quo itemization was eliminated, the standard deduction and personal exemptions were phased out for high-income filers, the alternative minimum tax was eliminated, tax brackets and exemptions were indexed to inflation, and the numbers of tax credits were reduced from 45 to 9.

The method of apportioning the corporate income tax was modernized, and the tax rate was reduced from nine percent to seven percent – the lowest rate in New England. The threshold of the estate tax deduction was doubled and indexed to inflation.

As a result, Rhode Island escaped the designation of having one of the ten worst tax climates for business. In 2011, when the General Assembly began addressing tax reform, the conservative Tax Foundation’s Business Tax Climate Index ranked the Ocean State’s tax climate 46^th (5^th worst). By 2025 it improved to 39^th. This year Rhode Island ranks 40^th.

Currently both Democratic gubernatorial candidates are proposing a tax policy “sea-change.” They are promoting legislation to impose an 8.99 percent rate on taxable incomes over $1 million, a 50 percent increase over the current rate of 5.99 percent.

Deciding the merits of this proposal should be based on the tenets of sound tax policy: equity, competitiveness, and transparency. Equity is achieved when no group carries a disproportionate share of the tax burden. Transparency is achieved when the system is user-friendly and efficiently administered.

The most difficult principle to measure is competitiveness. Economists have not always agreed on the effect tax burdens have on the economic decisions made by households and businesses.

Can a top marginal income tax rate be increased by 50 percent and not have a demonstrable impact on job growth and investments?

It will be challenging to resolve this question because the “peer reviewed research” supports different conclusions. Academic research through the 1960s generally found limited evidence that tax rate differentials influenced business growth and location decisions. In the 1980s, studies found the impact of tax burdens on private sector economic activity depended on specific circumstances. More recent empirical studies indicate tax changes do influence economic behavior. However, there are difference as to the degree of such influences.

Rhode Island’s business leaders opposed to the 50 percent increase in the top marginal tax rate point to state competitiveness rankings, potential out-migration of people and capital, fiscal volatility, and the impact on small business. Progressive proponents cite data suggesting top-rate increases rarely affect state-level growth, and high-income migration responses are marginal.

Given economic and international uncertainties, could the timing of income tax rate increase be a riverboat gamble with Rhode Island’s future economic well-being? An informed decision should provide data and analysis on the following threshold questions.

What is the forecasted impact of the millionaire’s tax on state GDP growth, employment, and revenue feedback effects?

Without doing harm, how high can the rate be set relative to competitor states? If the top marginal rate was increased by 15% compared to the 50%, how would the gamble be mitigated?

What will the new revenue be used for – education, infrastructure, housing, working families tax relief, or balancing the budget?

What are the costs and benefits of maintaining the status quo?

Will Rhode Island’s availability of skilled labor, preparedness for an artificial intelligence economy, and other amenities minimize any potential economic impacts of a 50 percent increase in the top income tax rate? Some states may have competitive advantages that could reduce the economic risks, while others may not.

Gary Sasse served as director of the R.I. Departments of Revenue and Administration.

Source link

Click to comment

Rhode Island

445 birds euthanized after bird flu found at Providence business

Published

2 hours ago

June 14, 2026

Press Room

445 birds euthanized after bird flu found at Providence business

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:

Source link

Rhode Island

445 birds euthanized due to bird flu outbreak at Rhode Island market

Published

12 hours ago

June 13, 2026

Press Room

445 birds euthanized due to bird flu outbreak at Rhode Island market

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.

Source link

Rhode Island

RI Lottery Mega Millions, Numbers Midday winning numbers for June 12, 2026

Published

22 hours ago

June 13, 2026

Press Room

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.

Source link