Rhode Island
Rhode Island’s millionaire’s tax a ‘riverboat gamble’ | Opinion
RI Gov. Dan McKee discusses plans to eliminate tax on Social Security
He announced his plan to get rid of the tax on Social Security income at Edward King House Senior Center in Newport on March 16.
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 46th (5th worst). By 2025 it improved to 39th. This year Rhode Island ranks 40th.
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.
Rhode Island
Varsity 8, First Varsity 4 Lead the Way Against Delaware, Holy Cross – University of Rhode Island
Rhode Island’s First and Second Varsity 8+ boats and its Varsity 4+ boat won their morning and afternoon races in Saturday’s dual races against Holy Cross and Delaware in Worcester, Mass.
The First Varsity 8+ boat featured Lily Stasaitis (coxswain), Bethany Nordstrom, Nora Lake, Liz Mayer, Sierra Munroe, Sasha Hanewald, Emma Barnhart, Charlotte Aeder, and Brigid McShea. This group paced Delaware by 12 seconds in the morning race and seven seconds in the afternoon to take both races.
The Second Varsity 8+ races were closely contested with Rhode Island edging out Delaware by three seconds in the morning and less than two seconds in the afternnon. The boat included Rachel Bauhaus (coxswain), Danika Rogers, Emma Larsh, Amanda Cubit, Sage Sabatino, Anna Kann, Payton Klein, Abigail Galayda, and Anna Smith.
The Varsity 4+ boat of Kate Sullivan (coxswain), Irma Accius, Lucy Lyons, Maddy Papik, and Sophia Thyer narrowly defeated Holy Cross by two seconds to take morning race and paced the Crusaders by two seconds in the afternoon.
Rhode Island Racing Results
Morning Races
9:30 a.m. – Featuring Rhode Island’s Second Varsity 4+ & Third Varsity 4+
- Boston University – 7:48.3
- URI Second Varsity 4+ – 8:01.49
- Delaware – 8:04.33
- URI Third Varsity 4+ – 8:21.73
- Holy Cross – 8:29.36
9:40 a.m. – Featuring Rhode Island’s First Varsity 4+
- URI – 7:48.2
- Delaware – 7:48.99
- Holy Cross – 7:59.82
9:50 a.m. – Featuring Rhode Island’s Second Varsity 8+
- URI – 7:03.05
- Delaware – 7:06.5
- Holy Cross – 7:06.56
- Boston University 1 – 7:13.8
- Boston University 2 – 7:18.11
10 a.m. – Featuring Rhode Island’s First Varsity 8+
- URI – 6:46.34
- Delaware – 6:58.69
- Holy Cross – 7:11.45
Afternoon Races
11:20 a.m. – Featuring Rhode Island’s Second Varsity 4+, Third Varsity 4+
- Boston University 1 – 7:47.3
- Boston University 2 – 7:53.6
- URI Second Varsity 4+ – 7:59.8
- Delaware – 8:01.0
- Boston University 3 – 8:08.7
- URI Third Varsity 4+ – 8:23.4
11:30 a.m. – Featuring Rhode Island’s First Varsity 4+
- URI – 7:51.3
- Holy Cross – 7:53.3
- Delaware – 8:00.1
11:40 a.m. – Featuring Rhode Island’s Second Varsity 8+
- URI – 7:02.4
- Delaware – 7:04.2
- Holy Cross 1 – 7:09.3
- Boston University – 7:22.4
- Holy Cross – 8:07.9
11:50 a.m. – Featuring Rhode Island’s First Varsity 8+
- URI – 6:49.2
- Delaware – 6:55.8
- Holy Cross – 7:10.3
The Rhode Island Lottery offers multiple draw games for those aiming to win big.
Here’s a look at April 24, 2026, results for each game:
Winning Mega Millions numbers from April 24 drawing
07-16-32-35-40, Mega Ball: 12
Check Mega Millions payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Numbers numbers from April 24 drawing
Midday: 0-4-5-0
Evening: 7-4-2-2
Check Numbers payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Wild Money numbers from April 24 drawing
05-11-19-29-36, Extra: 02
Check Wild Money 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.
Rhode Island
Six animals test positive for rabies in Providence County, health officials warn – What’s Up Newp
At least six animals in Providence County have tested positive for rabies over the past six weeks, the Rhode Island Department of Health said Friday, prompting a renewed warning to residents to steer clear of wildlife and keep pet vaccinations current.
Since March 12, three raccoons in Burrillville, one bat and one coyote in Lincoln, and one raccoon in Providence have tested positive for the virus, according to the department, known as RIDOH. Test results on a raccoon from North Smithfield are pending.
Rabies vector species in Rhode Island include bats, raccoons, skunks, foxes, coyotes, groundhogs and beavers, the department said. The virus attacks the central nervous system and, without prompt medical care after exposure, can cause fatal brain disease. Health officials stressed that treatment must begin as soon as possible after a suspected exposure and that people should not wait for symptoms to develop.
Residents who see a wild animal behaving erratically should not approach it and should contact their local animal control officer, RIDOH said. Anyone who has physical contact with a wild animal, or who wakes up to find a bat in their home, should call RIDOH’s Center for Acute Infectious Disease Epidemiology at 401-222-2577 from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday, or 401-276-8046 after hours.
People bitten or scratched should wash the wound with soap and water for 15 minutes and seek medical attention immediately, the department said. Pet owners whose animals tangle with wildlife should contact their municipal animal control officer and RIDOH.
State law requires all dogs, cats and ferrets to be up to date on rabies vaccinations. Health officials said vaccinating pets protects the animals and prevents people from being exposed to the virus through them.
To reduce the risk of rabies, RIDOH recommends that residents avoid contact with stray or free-roaming domestic animals and wild animals, refrain from feeding either, and keep pet food indoors to avoid attracting wildlife. The department also urges owners to walk dogs on leashes or confine them to fenced yards, report all animal bites to local animal control, and secure garbage cans against scavenging animals.
More information is available at www.health.ri.gov/rabies.
-
World12 minutes agoWhite House Correspondents’ Dinner Shooting: President Trump and First Lady Evacuated After Shots Fired; Suspect in Custody as Trump Vows to Reschedule
-
News18 minutes agoAfter Security Scare, Trump Demands Approval for His White House Ballroom
-
Politics24 minutes agoShooting Prompts Discussions About King Charles III and Queen Camilla’s U.S. Visit
-
Business30 minutes agoRising Costs Are Causing Couples to Delay or Forgo Having Children
-
Science36 minutes agoTargeted Hunts Were Supposed to Curb ‘Zombie Deer Disease.’ Now What?
-
Health42 minutes agoVideo: Skyrocketing Health Insurance Forces Americans to Scramble for Care
-
Culture54 minutes agoBook Review: ‘Ghost Town,’ by Tom Perrotta
-
Lifestyle60 minutes agoCan the Reinvented Delano Hotel Resuscitate South Beach?