Rhode Island

Should rich Rhode Islanders pay higher taxes? Here’s what’s being proposed, and why

Published

10 months ago

March 4, 2025

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Should rich Rhode Islanders pay higher taxes? Here’s what’s being proposed, and why

Progressives and union leaders say fear that millionaires will flee RI to avoid higher taxes is a “myth.”
Massachusetts collected more from its millionaires tax than expected and did not see an exodus of the rich.
Business groups say higher taxes would make RI less competitive.

PROVIDENCE − Rhode Island AFL-CIO President Patrick Crowley on Tuesday kicked off this year’s campaign to raise state income taxes on the top 1% of earners wearing an “Eat the Rich” T-shirt.

“You know they say that we have to have the tax policy we have because it benefits job creators,” Crowley told a coalition of groups gathered at the State House in support of the tax hike. “We say we can’t solve tomorrow’s problems with yesterday’s tax policy.”

Raising taxes on the wealthy has been a goal of Rhode Island progressives and unions at least since the state’s top tax rate was lowered in 2010.

But the idea has been a political non-starter for a series of governors and General Assembly leaders, including the current officeholders.

Post-pandemic federal aid and budget surpluses have reduced the impetus for the increased revenue that new higher taxes would bring, but the state’s fiscal picture could change quickly if there is an economic downturn or Republicans in Washington make deep cuts in Medicaid. The federal government splits the cost of Medicaid coverage with the states, and a reduction in federal funding would make states pony up more or cancel health insurance for some portion of residents.

Under those tougher scenarios, the tax plan the Revenue for Rhode Islanders coalition is pushing − a 3% surcharge on income above $625,000 − may become more politically appealing.

Advocates estimate that the tax increase would generate $190 million in annual revenue.

What about Massachusetts?

Rhode Island progressives believe their case for raising taxes on the rich has been bolstered by Massachusetts voters passing the “Fair Share” tax increase − a 4% surcharge on income over $1 million − in 2022.

Massachusetts’ higher income taxes make it less likely that wealthy residents will move across the border for tax reasons and, tax-the-rich advocates say, the Bay State’s experience with a millionaires tax is encouraging.

The Economic Progress Institute releases a policy paper Tuesday arguing that tax data shows millionaires are less likely to move than lower-income residents, and that when they do move, taxes are not usually the reason.

“There’s no evidence we’ve seen of a tax flight from Massachusetts or anywhere else, and the revenue impact is significant,” Economic Progress Institute research director Alan Krinsky said.

Andrew Farnitano, communications director for the group what campaigned for the Massachusetts millionaires tax, called the tax hike a “resounding, unqualified success” and said it had not sent Bay State millionaires and billionaires packing.

He offered as evidence that advocates had advertised that the tax would generate $2 billion per year, and in the first full year of collections Massachusetts took in $2.4 billion.

“They said the money will not show up, because multimillionaires will flee the state en masse rather than pay a new tax. And they were flat-out wrong,” Farnitano said.

In opposing a tax hike on the rich, Rhode Island Gov. Dan McKee last year said he hoped millionaires would move to Rhode Island to get away from the tax hike in Massachusetts.

How many people would pay more?

Revenue for Rhode Islanders estimates that 5,700 of Rhode Island’s 500,000 tax filers would pay more under the surcharge plan the group supports.

The tax increase is spelled out in legislation − H5473 and S329 − from Rep. Karen Alzate, D-Pawtucket, and Sen. Melissa Murray, D-Woonsocket, but would likely be folded into the state budget if passed. It is part of the slate of bills backed by the House progressive bloc and Rhode Island Working Families Party.

Business groups, including the Greater Providence Chamber of Commerce, have vehemently opposed an income tax increase for many years and are expected to fight this proposed 3% surcharge.

What would it be used for?

Alzate’s and Murray’s bills don’t specify what the new revenue generated by higher taxes would be used for, but the Revenue for Rhode Islanders coalition has a long wish list, including education, school meals and public transit.

“We could fund housing. We could fund badly needed mental health supports in our schools,” Murray said. “We could fund free school lunch for all, and breakfast. We could fund child care so parents could go back to work. We could help lift children out of poverty and so much more.”

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Rhode Island

Rhode Island General Assembly Begins 2026 Session With Focus on Affordability – Newport Buzz

Published

6 hours ago

January 9, 2026

Press Room

Rhode Island General Assembly Begins 2026 Session With Focus on Affordability – Newport Buzz

PROVIDENCE — Rhode Island lawmakers opened the 2026 legislative session this week with a focus on health care affordability, housing costs and economic stability, as leaders in both chambers warned of uncertainty tied to federal budget changes.

House Speaker K. Joseph Shekarchi outlined House priorities centered on expanding access to health care while lowering costs, calling it the chamber’s top agenda item for the year. He also said lawmakers will continue addressing housing shortages and rising home energy costs, emphasizing the need for community input as policy decisions move forward.

In the Senate, President Valarie J. Lawson convened the chamber by urging bipartisan cooperation and announcing plans to introduce legislation supporting education, small businesses and the state’s health care system. Stabilizing hospitals and strengthening the primary care workforce were identified as key goals.

Both chambers paused to honor victims of the Dec. 13 shooting at Brown University, passing resolutions recognizing the victims and commending first responders. Lawmakers also observed a moment of silence.

New legislation introduced by Rep. Joseph M. McNamara would require the Department of Education to adopt a zero-tolerance hazing policy in partnership with the Rhode Island Interscholastic League, mandating clear and consistent discipline statewide.

Meanwhile, Reps. David Morales and Jennifer Stewart called on Gov. Dan McKee to fully fund public libraries in the upcoming state budget.

Speaker Shekarchi also announced several committee leadership changes, appointing Rep. Carol Hagan McEntee as chairwoman of the House Judiciary Committee and Rep. Mary Ann Shallcross Smith as chairwoman of the House Small Business Committee.

The week also marked the first Senate session for Sen. Stefano V. Famiglietti, who received committee assignments following his election to fill a vacant seat.

Legislative leaders capped the week by joining faith leaders at the 18th annual Rhode Island Interfaith Poverty Vigil at the State House, calling attention to legislation aimed at reducing poverty statewide.

Temporary erosion protection systems installed at Second Beach in Middletown, Rhode Island

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Rhode Island

RI Lottery Lucky For Life, Numbers Midday winning numbers for Jan. 8, 2026

Published

18 hours ago

January 9, 2026

Press Room

The Rhode Island Lottery offers multiple draw games for those aiming to win big. Here’s a look at Jan. 8, 2026, results for each game:

Winning Lucky For Life numbers from Jan. 8 drawing

05-12-13-39-48, Lucky Ball: 13

Check Lucky For Life payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Numbers numbers from Jan. 8 drawing

Midday: 9-9-1-3

Evening: 0-9-6-6

Check Numbers payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Wild Money numbers from Jan. 8 drawing

01-07-12-30-35, Extra: 26

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 Lucky for Life top prize of $1,000 a day for life and second prize of $25,000 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.
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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Rhode Island

State workers’ unions complain of widespread problems with new payroll system

Published

1 day ago

January 8, 2026

Press Room

State workers’ unions complain of widespread problems with new payroll system

Union leaders for Rhode Island state employees are publicly airing frustrations with the state’s new payroll system following weeks of complaints, claiming many state workers have had problems receiving their full pay.

Rhode Island Council 94, the largest state workers’ union with more than 4,500 members, and the union representing correctional officers issued press releases Thursday calling on the state to fix the system that rolled out in early December.

The new system is operated by Workday, a company that provides services to more than 10,000 companies and organizations, including other states.

“Simply put, Workday is not working,” Council 94 President Michael McDonald wrote in a statement.

The unions claim problems for state employees include missing pay, partial pay, missing overtime pay, incorrect or no holiday pay, and benefits deductions not sent to accounts.

Council 94 says the state has worked on some solutions, but complaints and calls to a hotline mount.

“The state, in meeting after meeting, urges patience. Our members mortgage payments, grocery bills, childcare, fuel costs and other expenses do not pause for payroll processing errors. The payroll errors have touched every state agency,” Council 94 State Vice President John Monse stated.

The unions say they’ve brought the complaints to state officials, including Gov. Dan McKee.

“While some prior errors were corrected, the continued recurrence demonstrates a systemic payroll breakdown, not isolated mistakes,” the Rhode Island Brotherhood of Correctional Officers wrote in its statement.

NBC 10 News messaged the governor’s office and the Department of Administration before noon Thursday.

The governor’s office later referred comment to Administration, which has not responded to NBC 10’s messages.

The unions are calling for legislative oversight hearings into the matter and are considering legal action.

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