EPI’s 2022 Candidate Briefing Book

Every election presents an opportunity for positive change. The question is: What type of change do you want to see in Rhode Island? We all share the common value of fair treatment and economic prosperity for ourselves and our families. We want to live in healthy and vibrant communities where we can thrive. Elections remind us that policies have significant …

Four Transformative and Equity-Centered Ways to Expend ARPA State Fiscal Recovery Funds

INTRODUCTION As policymakers negotiate a final budget for FY2023 and institute a plan for spending the entirety of Rhode Island’s American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) State Fiscal Recovery Funds (SFRF), we find ourselves at a critical juncture. If nothing changes, we are likely to spend the state’s ARPA SFRF in a scattershot manner, funding lots of small projects, but spreading …

Summary of Governor’s Proposed FY2023 Budget

Proposals Important to the Fiscal Health of the State and Its Residents This analysis summarizes policy proposals and spending recommendations of particular relevance to low-income and modest-income Rhode Islanders and the advancement of their economic opportunity included in the Governor’s proposed FY2023 budget. Until the Governor and the General Assembly negotiate a final budget, Rhode Islanders will have opportunities to …

Revised FY2022 Supplemental Budget Enacted – Will Allocate 10% of American Rescue Plan Act Funds

On January 4, 2022, Rhode Island’s House and Senate passed and Governor Dan McKee signed into law a supplemental budget for the current fiscal year, FY2022. Originally proposed in October 2021 and then amended and approved by the General Assembly’s finance committees in December, the legislation allocates approximately 10% of Rhode Island’s $1.13 billion in flexible state Fiscal Recovery Funds …

Governor McKee’s FY2022 Supplemental Budget Proposal

On October 7, 2021, Governor Dan McKee submitted to the chairpersons of the House and Senate Finance Committees a proposal to amend the current fiscal year’s budget (FY2022) by allocating approximately 10% of Rhode Island’s $1.13 billion in flexible state Fiscal Recovery Funds from the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA). Prior to the submission, a special House Task Force and …

Cannabis Legalization in RI: A Racist History Demands Equitable Reform

Three proposals to legalize cannabis for adult recreational use in Rhode Island were presented during the 2021 legislative session: Senate Bill 568, House Bill 6370, and Article 11 of Governor McKee’s proposed FY2022 budget. The proposals are estimated to yield around $17M annually. Rhode Island legalized cannabis for medical use in 2006 and decriminalized possession of small amounts of cannabis …

FY2022 Budget & 2021 General Assembly Session in Review

INTRODUCTION Rhode Island’s Fiscal Year 2022 Budget—authorizing $13.1 billion in total expenditures, including $4.55 billion in state General Revenue—along with other legislation passed and enacted during the 2021 General Assembly session, makes some substantial investments in Rhode Island and Rhode Islanders, while leaving on the table some important proposals. Our review of the budget and legislative session highlights progress and …

Initial response to 2022 Budget passed by the House Finance Committee

As we read through the budget details from the budget that the House Finance Committee passed last night, here are four key takeaways: Important investments in children and families and the child care workforce: RI Works: The monthly benefit for families receiving RI Works, which hasn’t been adjusted in 30 years, is increased by 30%. The benefit for a family …

On Tax Day, ITEP and EPI Analyses Highlight Negative Effects of National and State Tax Policies on Income for People of Color

Rhode Island can address historic inequities by raising taxes on top 1 percent. Today, Tax Day 2021, is a good time to reflect on the inequitable distribution of wealth and income caused by decades of policies that disadvantaged people of color. A new report, “Taxes and Racial Equity: An Overview of State and Local Policy Impacts,” published by the Institute …

Highlights of Governor’s Proposed FY2022 Budget

Last month, Governor McKee released his FY2022 proposed budget. The “budget” totals $11.17 billion, a decrease of $1.56 billion over the enacted FY2021 budget. The Institute analyzed the budget, taking a look at proposals that are important to the fiscal health of the state and its residents. Here are some key points from the perspective of what will impact the …