Throughout the legislative session, the Economic Progress Institute tracks the budget and other bills being considered by the Rhode Island General Assembly affecting the economic well-being of low- and modest-income Rhode Islanders. We present policy information and data-based testimony to committees in the General Assembly.
2023 Testimony
Testimony in Support of issuing state identification cards to RI residents unable to establish lawful presence: S 129aa
House Commitee on Corporations: 6/12/2023
The Economic Progress Institute strongly supports allowing the DMV to issue state identification to Rhode Island residents unable to establish lawful presence.
Testimony in Support of making TDI and TCI accessible to more Rhode Islanders: S 534
Senate Committee on Finance: 6/6/2023
TDI and TCI are critical protections for RI workers and families, and these programs are fully employee-funded and budget neutral - expanding them should be a no-brainer.
Testimony in Support of using actual residences for redistricting: S 628
Senate Committee on the Judiciary: 6/1/2023
In regard to the redistricting process for elections, the Economic Progress Institute supports Senator Quezada’s S-628 which would require – for individuals under the custody of the State of Rhode Island – the use of actual residence addresses rather than the addresses of state facilities.
Testimony concerning Wage Theft and Misclassification of Workers: S 1079
Senate Committee on Labor: 5/31/2023
The Economic Progress Institute strongly supports Senator Kallman’s bill S-1079 to increase the penalties for wage theft and misclassification of workers. Although, no doubt, most employers are honest, wage theft and employee misclassification remain an ongoing problem, costing hard-working Rhode Islanders millions of dollars each year.
Testimony concerning Wage Theft and Misclassification of Workers: H 5902
House Committee on Judiciary: 5/31/2023
The Economic Progress Institute strongly supports Chairman Craven’s bill H-5902 to increase the penalties for wage theft and misclassification of workers. Although, no doubt, most employers are honest, wage theft and employee misclassification remain an ongoing problem, costing hard-working Rhode Islanders millions of dollars each year.
Testimony in Opposition to a Sales Tax Holiday: S 213
Senate Committee on Finance: 5/25/2023
The Economic Progress Institute opposes S-213 which would create a sales tax holiday in August 2023, eroding state revenues needed for the critical investments used to build thriving communities and a strong, vibrant economy.
Testimony in Support of issuing state identification to Rhode Island residents unable to establish lawful presence: S 129
Senate Committee on Judiciary: 5/18/2023
The Economic Progress Institute strongly supports Senator Cano’s SB-129, which would allow the DMV to issue state identification to Rhode Island residents unable to establish lawful presence.
Testimony in Support of annually updating the RI Works cash assistance benefit: S 227
Senate Committee on Finance: 5/18/2023
The Economic Progress Institute strongly supports Senator Murray's SB-227, which would update the cash assistance benefit annually to ensure children do not live in deep poverty, repeal the full family sanction, allow pregnant women to receive support earlier in pregnancy, and restore eligibility to legal permanent residents by eliminating the 5-year waiting period.
Testimony in Support of allowing staff of child care provider to be eligible for the Child Care Assistance Program: S 377
Senate Committee on Finance: 5/18/2023
The Economic Progress Institute strongly supports Senator DiMario's SB-377, which would allow all staff and employees of child care providers to be eligible for the Child Care Assistance Program (CCAP) and end the child support enforcement mandate so that more families are able to benefit from CCAP.
Testimony in Support of providing continuous eligibilty children under the age of six enrolled in Medicaid: S 247
Senate Committee on Finance: 5/10/2023
Continuous coverage would reduce the administrative burden on the Executive Office of Health and Human Services and the Department of Human Services, who are already facing the Medicaid renewal process for over 350,000 Rhode Islanders with the end of the Public Health Emergency.
Testimony in Support of providing all primary and secondary public-school students with free lunch: S 68 & S 71
Senate Committee on Education: 5/10/2023
The RI Life Index found that food insecurity is three times more prevalent now than before the pandemic; food insecurity affects 31% of all Rhode Islanders and approximately 46% of Black and Latino families in RI.
Testimony in Support of S-342 concerning nondisclosure and non-disparagement clauses: S 342
Senate Committee on Judiciary: 5/11/2023
The Economic Progress Institute supports Senator DiMario’s S-342 which would prohibit employers from requiring employees, as a condition of employment, to agree to nondisclosure and non-disparagement requirements in regard to possible civil rights violations and other unlawful conduct.
Testimony in Support of Bill to Require a Budget Equity Statement: S 527
Senate Committee on Finance: 5/11/2023
The Economic Progress Institute strongly supports Senator Acosta’s bill S-527 to require the Governor to include, with the annually proposed budget, a statement addressing the ways the budget’s provisions ensure equity in Rhode Island.
Testimony Relating to Rental Application Fees: S 311
Senate Committee on Housing & Municipal Government: 5/10/2023
Given the shortage of rental housing, prospective tenants can find themselves needing to pay multiple application fees without any guarantee of securing a lease.
Testimony concerning a Statewide Tangible Property Tax Exemption: S 928
Senate Committee on Finance: 5/9/2023
The Economic Progress Institute neither supports nor opposes Senator Murray’s bill S-928 to establish a statewide exemption to the local tangible property tax.
Testimony Relating to the Sales Tax: H 5192 and H 5642
House Committee on Finance: 5/9/2023
The Economic Progress Institute opposes the proposals to reduce the state sales tax from 7% 6% (H-5192) and to reduce the sales tax to 5% (H-5642). The available data indicate that these proposals will disproportionately benefit the most well-off Rhode Islanders and thereby not increase equity in the state.
Testimony concerning a Statewide Tangible Property Tax Exemption: S 955
Senate Committee on Finance: 5/9/2023
The Economic Progress Institute opposes Senator de la Cruz’s bill S-955 to establish a statewide exemption to the local tangible property tax.
Testimony in Opposition to the Motion Picture Production Tax Credit: S 949
Senate Committee on Finance: 5/9/203
The Economic Progress Institute strongly opposes S-949, which would make permanent at $40 million each year the amount of motion picture production tax credits available and also remove the program’s sunset date.
Rhode Island’s Office of Rev
Testimony in Opposition to Weakening the Estate Tax: S 526
Senate Finance Committee: 5/9/2023
The Economic Progress Institute opposes Senate Bill 526 which would steadily weaken Rhode Island’s already narrow Estate Tax, depriving the Treasury of much-needed revenues, while making our current inequitable tax structure even more inequitable.
Testimony in Opposition to a Sales Tax Holiday: H 5239 and H-5805
House Committee on Finance: 5/9/2023
The Economic Progress Institute opposes H-5239 which would create a sales tax holiday in August 2023 and opposes H-5805 which would create a sales tax holiday each July going forward, eroding state revenues needed for the critical investments used to build thriving communities and a strong, vibrant economy.
Testimony in Opposition to Weakening the Estate Tax: H 5802
House Finance Committee: 5/9/2023
The Economic Progress Institute opposes House Bill 5802 which would steadily weaken Rhode Island’s already narrow Estate Tax, depriving the Treasury of much-needed revenues, while making our current inequitable tax structure even more inequitable.
Testimony in Opposition to Repealing the Estate Tax: H 5631
House Finance Committee: 5/9/2023
The Economic Progress Institute opposes House Bill 5631 which would eliminate Rhode Island’s already narrow Estate Tax, depriving the Treasury of much-needed revenues, while making our current inequitable tax structure even more inequitable.
Testimony in Support of Increasing the Earned Income Tax Credit: H 5470
House Committee on Finance: 5/9/2023
The Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) is a common-sense tax break that reduces the income tax owed by lower-wage working families, allowing them to contribute more to vibrant local economies.
Testimony in Opposition to Repealing the Estate Tax: H 5631
House Finance Committee: 5/9/2023
The Economic Progress Institute opposes House Bill 5631 which would eliminate Rhode Island’s already narrow Estate Tax, depriving the Treasury of much-needed revenues, while making our current inequitable tax structure even more inequitable.
Testimony in Support of Creating a New Personal Income Tax on the Top One Percent: H 6148
House Committee on Finance: 5/9/2023
The Economic Progress Institute strongly supports Representative Alzate’s H-6148 to create a new 3% surtax for income above the top 1% of income.
Testimony on Proposals to Tax Capital Gains and Other Wealth: H 6171
House Committee on Finance: 5/9/2023
In the United States, we generally tax wage and salary income at higher rates than we do income from investments, and over the last few decades we have witnessed the wealth gap grow, as the wealthiest people make sure that the tax code treats their income and wealth more favorably compared with how tax rules treat ordinary salary and wages, the major source of income for most Americans, including Rhode Islanders.
Testimony in Support of making permanent the rate increase for First Connections family home visiting program: S 207
Senate Committee on Finance: 5/4/2023
The Economic Progress Institute strongly supports Senator Valverde’s SB-207, which would make permanent the FY23 Medicaid rate increase for the First Connections family home visiting program.
Testimony in Support of providing continuous Medicaid eligibility for children under the age of six: H 5986
House Committee on Finance: 5/4/2023
The Economic Progress Institute strongly supports Representative Slater’s HB-5986, which would provide continuous eligibility for children under the age of six enrolled in Medicaid.
Testmony in Support of making permanent the rate increase for First Connections family home visit program: H 5810
House Committee on Finance: 5/4/2023
The Economic Progress Institute strongly supports Representative Giraldo’s HB-5810, which would make permanent the FY23 Medicaid rate increase for the First Connections family home visiting program.
Testimony concerning Quality Self-Directed Services: S 784
Senate Committee on Finance: 5/4/2023
The Economic Progress Institute supports S-784 to increase the minimum wage for workers in the Independent Provider (IP) program.
Testimony in Support of an Act Relating to Human Services – RI Works: H 5644
House Finance Committee: 5/3/2023
The Economic Progress Institute strongly supports Rep. Handy’s H 5644, which would update the cash assistance benefit annually to ensure children do not live in deep poverty, repeal the full family sanction, allow pregnant women to receive support earlier in pregnancy, and restore eligibility to legal permanent residents by eliminating the 5-year waiting period.
Testimony in support of allocating sufficient resources to sustain all Rhode Island pre-kindergarten programs: H 6009
House Committee on Finance: 5/3/2023
The Economic Progress Institute writes in support of Representative McNamara’s HB-6009, which would allocate sufficient resources to sustain all Rhode Island pre-kindergarten programs, including Pre-K, Head Start, and Early Head Start classrooms.
Testimony in support of allowing all staff and employees of child care providers to be eligible for the Child Care Assistance Program: H 6169
House Committee on Finance: 5/3/2023
The Economic Progress Institute strongly supports Representative Diaz’s HB-6169, which would allow all staff and employees of child care providers to be eligible for the Child Care Assistance Program (CCAP) and end the child support enforcement mandate so that more families are able to benefit from CCAP.
Testimony in Support requiring the state to recruit, and retain high-quality early educators: H 5094
House Committee on Finance: 5/3/2023
The Economic Progress Institute writes in support of Representative Casimiro’s HB-5094, which would require the state to develop a plan to improve the recruitment, development, compensation, and retention of high-quality early educators.
Testimony concerning Supplemental Security Income (SSI): H 5633
House Committee on Finance: 5/3/2023
The Economic Progress Institute supports Representative Spears’ bill H-5633 to increase the state contribution to Supplemental Security Income (SSI) assistance – to increase it for inflation the same way the federal amount is adjusted each year.
Testimony concerning the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP): H 5799
House Committee on Finance: 5/3/2023
The Economic Progress Institute supports Representative Morales’ bill H-5799 to increase temporarily Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits for low-income Rhode Islanders in need and thereby help fight food insecurity in the state.
Testimony concerning Quality Self-Directed Services: H 6188
House Committee on Finance: 5/3/2023
The Economic Progress Institute supports Representative Slater’s bill H-6188 to increase the minimum wage for workers in the Independent Provider (IP) program.
Testimony in support of expanding the income eligibility for the Child Care Assistance Program (CCAP): H 5193
House Committee on Finance: 5/2/2023
Economic Progress Institute strongly supports Representative Diaz’s HB-5193, which would expand the income eligibility for the Child Care Assistance Program (CCAP), increase reimbursement rates for providers, and end the child support enforcement mandate so that more families are able to benefit from CCAP.
Testimony in Support of expanding the income eligibility for the Child Care Assistance Program (CCAP): S 522
Senate Committee on Finance: 5/2/2023
The Economic Progress Institute supports Senator Cano’s SB-522, which would expand the income eligibility for the Child Care Assistance Program (CCAP), increase reimbursement rates for providers, and end the child support enforcement mandate so that more families are able to benefit from CCAP.
Testimony in Support of mandating medicaid enrollment be maintained and provided for eligible inmates: H 5313
House Committee on Finance: 4/27/2023
Incarcerated individuals are at higher risk for having chronic medical, psychiatric, or substance use disorders. Increasing access to public health insurance reduces recidivism and improves employment outcomes for those in the reentry process. Access to quality health care is also proven to reduce hospitalizations and lower mortality rates.
Testimony in Opposition to proposal to change the statute concerning the Small Business Development Fund: H 6003
House Committee on Finance: 4/26/2023
The Economic Progress Institute strongly opposes the proposals in H-6003 to modify the Small Business Development Fund (SBDF).
Testimony in support of the SPEND Act: H 5388
House Committee on Finance: 4/26/2023
The Economic Progress Institute supports Representative Felix’s proposed legislation H-5388 to require fiscal notes to accompany legislation creating new crimes in Rhode Island statute and legislation increasing the lengths of sentences for existing crimes.
Testimony in Support of allocate sufficient resources to sustain all Rhode Island pre-K programs: S 463
Testimony in Support of mandating the state to develop goals to recruitment and retention high-quality early educators: S 492
Senate Committee on Education: 4/26/2023
Rhode Island is currently facing an early education crisis due in part to the low and noncompetitive wages for early childhood educators.
Testimony concerning a Senate Resolution Creating a Special Legislative Commission to Study and Review Rhode Island’s Minimum Wage: S 430
Senate Committee on Labor: 4/26/2023
The Economic Progress Institute strongly supports bill S 430 to classify workers properly in Rhode Island by instituting the national standard of the ABC test to distinguish between employees and independent contractors.
Testimony in Support of Classifying as Employees Those Who Work in Domestic Service, Qualifying Them to be Paid the Minimum Wage: S 424
Senate Commitee on Labor: 4/26/2023
The Economic Progress Institute supports bill S 424 which, if enacted, would end the exclusion of individuals who work as domestic workers from the legal definition of an “Employee” in Rhode Island statute.
Testimony concerning a Senate Resolution Creating a Commission to Study and Review Rhode Island’s Minimum Wage: S 142
Senate Committee on Labor: 4/26/2023
The Economic Progress Institute does not believe it necessary for the Senate to establish a Commission to Study and Review Rhode Island’s Minimum Wage.
Testimony in Support of lead poisoning prevention: H 5007 and H 5318
House Committee on Finance: 4/25/2023
The Economic Progress Institute supports Rep. O’Brien’s H5007 and Rep. Morales’ H5318, which aim to reduce lead poisoning and its destructive impacts in RI.
Testimony in Support of mandating medicaid enrollment for eligible in mates: S 873
Senate Committee on Health and Human Services: 4/25/2023
The Economic Progress Institute supports Senator Lawson’s SB873, which would mandate Medicaid enrollment be maintained and provided for eligible inmates in the first and last 30 days of incarceration.
Testimony in Support of funding Wavemaker fellowships from early intervention agencies: H 5983
House Committee on Finance: 4/20/2023
Early Intervention is a vital program for Rhode Island families that provides specialists for infants and toddlers who have developmental delays or disabilities.
Testimony in Support of maintaining the current prohibition on pre-existing conditions: H 5426
House Health and Human Services Committee: 4/20/2023
The Economic Progress Institute supports H5426, which codifies the basic consumer protections that are part of the Affordable Care Act (ACA).
Testimony in Opposition of a Statewide Tangible Property Tax Exemption: H 6014
House Committee on Finance: 4/19/2023
The Economic Progress Institute opposes H 6014 to establish a statewide exemption to the local tangible property tax.
Testimony concerning a Statewide Tangible Property Tax Exemption: H 5800
House Committee on Finance: 4/19/2023
The Economic Progress Institute neither supports nor opposes Representative McEntee’s bill H-5800 to establish a statewide exemption to the local tangible property tax.
Testimony in Opposition of An Act Relating to Elections: H 6273
House Committee on State and Government Elections: 4/18/2023
Voter participation and civic engagement are crucial to the success of our democracy. The Economic Progress Institute opposes Rep. Brien’s HB6273, an act to reduce the permitted timeframe for early voting from 20 days to 14 days (excluding weekends).
Testimony in Support of Requiring a Budget Equity Statement: H 6110
House Committee on Finance: 4/18/2023
The Economic Progress Institute strongly supports Representative Cortvriend’s bill H-6110 to require the Governor to include, with the annually proposed budget, a statement addressing the ways the budget’s provisions ensure equity in Rhode Island.
Testimony in Opposition to the Motion Picture Production Tax Credit: H 5632
House Committee on Finance: 4/18/2023
The Economic Progress Institute strongly opposes H-5632, which would increase the amount of motion picture production tax credits available and also remove the program’s sunset date.
Testimony in Support of the Recognizing the Rhode Island Black Heritage Society: H 5615
House Committee on State Government & Elections: 4/5/2023
The Economic Progress Institute supports Representative Felix’s HB5615 which would recognize the Rhode Island Black Heritage Society, alongside the Rhode Island Historical Society and the Newport Historical Society, as one of the state’s Historical Societies with libraries making historical materials available to the public.
Testimony in Support of Using Actual Residences for Redistricting Purposes: H 5613
House Committee on State Governments & Elections: 4/5/2023
In regard to the redistricting process for elections, the Economic Progress Institute supports Representative Cruz’s HB5613 which would require – for individuals under the custody of the State of Rhode Island – the use of actual residence addresses rather than the addresses of state facilities.
Testimony in Support of reforming criminal justice costs: H 5563, H 5685, & H 6180
House Judiciary Committee: 4/4/2023
The many costs in the criminal justice system – fees, fines, court charges, bail – too often punish people simply for being poor.
Testimony in Support of requiring public bodies to offer translation services and videoconferencing for publicmeetings: S 122 & S 815
Senate Judiciary Committee: 4/4/2023
The Economic Progress Institute supports SB-122 and Senator Gu’s SB-815 to require public bodies to offer translation services and videoconferencing technology in open public meetings.
Testimony in Support of ensuring our state has a high quality, inclusive workforce development system: H 5200
House Committee on Finance, Subcommittee on Education: 4/4/2023
The Economic Progress Institute submits this testimony on behalf of the Workforce Alliance, an association of adult education and training providers, policy and advocacy organizations, philanthropic entities, business and labor, committed to ensuring our state has a high quality, inclusive workforce development system that meets the needs of all workers, especially those in need of foundational skills.
Testimony in Support of reducing the fees associated with the Driver’s Privilege Cards (DPC): S 0751
Senate Committee on Special Legislation and Veteran Affairs: 3/29/2023
The Economic Progress Institute supports Senator Britto’s SB-0751, which would reduce the fees associated with the Driver’s Privilege Cards (DPC). Under the current rules, residents pay $50 for a driver’s privilege card and then $30 every 5 years to renew their cards, if they are under 75 years old.
Testimony in Support of an Act Relating to Labor and Labor Relations – Minimum Wages: H 5928
House Committee on Labor: 3/29/2023
The Economic Progress Institute strongly supports Representative Henries’ HB5015, which, if enacted, would gradually increase the minimum hourly wage to $14.50 in 2024, $16.75 in 2025 and $19.00 in 2026. Increases after those dates would be tied to the Consumer Price Index for Urban Wage Earners and Clerical Workers (CPI-W).
Testimony in Support of Bill Relating to the Cash Minimum Wage: H 5590
House Committee on Labor: 3/29/2023
The Economic Progress Institute supports Representative Felix’s bill HB5590 to raise and phase out the tipped minimum wage. Rhode Island’s current sub-minimum tipped wage or “cash” wage is $3.89/hour and was last increased in 2017.
Testimony in Support of Repealing the Subminimum Wage for Minors and Students: H 5181
House Committee on Labor: 3/29/2023
The Economic Progress Institute supports Representative Sanchez’s HB5181 which, if enacted, would end exceptions made for minors and students, enabling employers to pay them below the state’s regular minimum wage.
Testimony in Support of Repealing Preemption of Local Governments from Paying Employees Above the State Minimum Wage: H 5015
House Committee on Labor: 3/29/2023
The Economic Progress Institute supports Representative Morales’s HB5015 which, if enacted, would repeal the statute that prevents municipal/local governments from establishing for their employees a minimum wage above the state minimum wage.
Testimony in Support of Classifying aDomestic Service Employees to be Paid the Minimum Wage: H 5371
House Committee on Labor: 3/29/2023
The Economic Progress Institute supports Representative Felix’s HB5371 which, if enacted, would end the exclusion of individuals who work as domestic workers from the legal definition of an “Employee” in Rhode Island statute.
Testimony in Support of Reforming Bail for Individuals on Probation: S 411
Senate Committee on Judiciary: 3/28/2023
The Economic Progress Institute supports Senator Kallman’s SB411 which, if enacted, would make the bail process more reasonable and more just for individuals on probation.
Testimony in Support of an Act Relating to Insurance – Individual Health Insurance Coverage: S 23
Senate Health and Human Services Committee: 3/23/2023
The Economic Progress Institute supports S23, which codifies the basic consumer protections that are part of the Affordable Care Act (ACA) by maintaining the current prohibition on pre-existing condition exclusions
Testimony in Support of Bill Relating to Payday Lending: H 5331
House Committee on corporations: 3/21/2023
The Economic Progress Institute supports Representative Lombardi’s bill HB5331, which would eliminate the harms of deferred deposit transactions that drive the predatory payday loan industry in Rhode Island.
Testimony in Support of Bill Relating to Payday Lending: H 5160
House Committee on Corporations: 3/21/2023
The Economic Progress Institute supports Representative Alzate’s bill HB5160, which would eliminate the harms of deferred deposit transactions that drive the predatory payday loan industry in Rhode Island.
Testimony in Support of requiring the Department of Corrections to collect additional data: S 373
Senate Committee on Judiciary: 3/21/2023
The Economic Progress Institute supports Senator Acosta’s SB373 to require the Department of Corrections to collect additional data from those individuals entering its custody. To understand whether policy and program proposals and changes are likely to increase or decrease disparities, it is critical to have adequate data.
Testimony in Support of limiting the monthly cost of specialty drugs: H 5350 ans H 5554
House Committee on Health and Human Services: 3/21/2023
The Economic Progress Institute supports HB5350, which limits the monthly cost of specialty drugs, and HB5554 which limits the monthly cost of asthma inhalers – which can be life-saving medication.
Testimony in Support of Act Relating to Towns and Cities – Zoning Ordinances: H 6084
House Committee on Municipal Government and Housing: 3/16/2023
The Economic Progress Institute supports H6084, an act to create a transit-oriented development pilot program to encourage residential housing near convenient public transportation.
Testimony Relating to Rental Application Fees: H 6087
House Committee on Municipal Government & Housing: 3/16/2023
The Economic Progress Institute supports the intent behind Representative Cruz’s HB6087 to “eliminate the rental application fee,” as the March 2, 2023 press release from the Office of the Speaker characterized the proposal.
Testimony in support of relating to concerning nondisclosure and non-disparagement clauses: H 5929
House Committee on Labor: 3/15/2023
The Economic Progress Institute supports Representative Tanzi’s HB5929 which would prohibit employers from requiring employees, as a condition of employment, to agree to nondisclosure and non-disparagement requirements in regard to possible civil rights violations.
Testimony in support of Relating to Minority-Owned and Women-Owned Business Enterprises: H 5748
House Committee on Labor: 3/15/2023
The Economic Progress Institute supports Representative Giraldo’s HB5748 which would increase the percentage of dollars reserved for minority-owned and women-owned businesses in state procurement and construction contracts.
Testimony in support of increasing paid leave: H 5447
House Committee on Labor: 3/15/2023
The Economic Policy Institute supports Representative Diaz’s HB5447 which aims to makes Temporary Disability Insurance and Temporary Caregiver Insurance accessible to all Rhode Islanders. Rhode Island was one of the nation’s leaders in passing a paid family leave program in 2013. Now a decade later, the program lags behind those in other states, including our neighbors in Massachusetts and Connecticut, and leaves many Rhode Islanders unable to make use of these important benefits.
Testimony in supoprt of Equity Impact Statements: H 5763
House Committee on State Government and Elections 3/14/2023
The Economic Progress Institute strongly supports Representative Kislak’s bill, H5763, which would require an equity impact statement for each piece of legislation, describing the way in which the legislation will or will not impact populations differently based on race, color, ethnicity, religion, sex sexual orientation, gender expression, disability, age, or country of ancestral origin.
Testimony in support of reducing fees associated with driver's privilege cards: H 5780
House Committee on Judiciary 3/9/2023
The Economic Progress Institute supports Representative Alzate’s HB5780, which would reduce the fees associated with the driver’s privilege cards. Under the current rules, undocumented Rhode Islander’s pay $50 for a driver’s privilege card and then $30 every 5 years to renew their cards, if they are under 75 years old. Reducing the cost of the driver’s privilege cards would allow more people to apply for and benefit from this new resource.
Testimony in Support of the Community Opportunity to Purchase Act: H 5749
House Committee on Municipal Government & Housing 3/7/2023
The Economic Progress Institute supports Representative Speakman’s HB5749, the Community Opportunity to Purchase Act. Given the lack of affordable housing in Rhode Island and the much greater need for it, we should seek out reasonable opportunities to increase the state’s affordable housing supply.
Testimony in Support of An Act Relating to Elections – Conduct of Election and Voting Equipment and Supplies (repeals the state voter identification law): S 364
Senate Judiciary Committee 3/7/2023
The Economic Progress Institute supports SB364, an act to repeal the state voter identification law. The current voter identification law is one of the strictest in the United States; it disenfranchises Rhode Islanders, disproportionately affects low-income, racial and ethnic minorities, the elderly, and people with disabilities, and aims to solve a “problem” (in-person voter fraud) that does not, in fact, exist.
Testimony in Support of establishing a committee eithin Rhode Island Housing Resources Commission to provide recommendations for homeless shelter standards: H 5120
House Committee on Municipal Government and Housing 3/7/2023
The Economic Progress Institute supports Representative Lombardi’s HB5120, which would establish a committee within the Rhode Island Housing Resources Commission to provide recommendations for homeless shelter standards. This committee will be comprised of individuals with lived experience, advocates, and providers.
Testimony in Support of the Equality in Abortion Coverage Act: H 5006
House Judiciary Committee 3/6/2023
The Economic Progress Institute is a nonpartisan research and policy organization that
advocates for the economic well-being of low- and modest-income Rhode Islanders. Access to
abortion is an economic, racial, and healthcare justice issue.
Testimony Relating to rent increases: H 5362 and H 5691
House Committee on Judiciary 3/2/2023
The Economic Policy Institute supports Representative Stewart’s HB5362 and HB5691, a pair of bills that would protect tenants, particularly low-income tenants, against unmanageable rent increases.
Testimony Relating to Extending the Sunset Dates of Tax Incentive Programs for Economic Development: H 5200 Budget Article 7
Senate Committee on Finance 3/2/2023
Sunset dates are critical elements of tax incentive programs for economic development – and they are of greatest value when used for oversight of such programs. The sunset dates are put in place so that members of the General Assembly have the opportunity to exercise their responsibility to oversee the programs.
Testimony in Support of Increasing the Diversity of Rhode Island’s Teaching Workforce: H 542`
House Committee on Education 2/1/2023
The Economic Policy Institute supports Representative Giraldo’s HB5421 which would create a committee and require a report aimed at increasing the diversity of Rhode Island’s teaching workforce. The education of our children is critical for the long-term health of the state’s workforce and economy.
Testimony Relating to Support of standardizing the quality rating system for early care and early education: H 5339
House Committee on Education 2/1/2023
The Economic Policy Institute supports Representative Donovan’s HB5339 which would standardize the quality rating system for early care and education.
Testimony Relating to Creating a New Personal Income Tax on the Top One Percent: S 232
Senate Committee on Finance
The Economic Progress Institute supports Senator Murray’s SB232 to create a new 3% surtax for income above the top 1% of income. This would impact approximately 5,000 taxpayers, those with Adjusted Gross Income (AGI) above $557,000.
Testimony Relating to Increasing the Earned Income Tax Credit: S 80
Senate Committee on Finance
The Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) is a common-sense tax break that reduces the income tax owed by lower-wage working families, allowing them to contribute more to vibrant local economies. The Economic Progress Institute supports Senator Felag’s SB80 to raise the state credit from 15% to 16% of the federal one. Rhode Island’s EITC was last increased seven years ago.
Testimony Realting to Proposals to Tax Capital Gains and Other Wealth: S 233
Senate Committee on Finance
The Economic Progress Institute supports three proposals contained in Senator Kallman’s SB233 omnibus legislation that seeks to take important steps to rectify an imbalance in the way wages and salary income are taxed at higher rates than income from investments.
Testimony Relating to Make Improvements to the Temporary Caregiver’s Insurance (TCI) Program: S 139
Senate Labor Committee
The Economic Progress Institute writes in support of Senator Lawson’s bill (S-139) to make improvements to the Temporary Caregiver’s Insurance (TCI) program. One of only 11 state-based paid leave programs, TCI provides up to six weeks of partial (about 60%) wage replacement for workers who need to take time from their jobs to care for a new child or seriously ill family member.
Testimony Relating to Creating a New Personal Income Tax on the Top One Percent: S 232
Senate Committee on Finance
The Economic Progress Institute supports Senator Murray’s SB232 to create a new 3% surtax for income above the top 1% of income. This would impact approximately 5,000 taxpayers, those with Adjusted Gross Income (AGI) above $557,000.
Testimony Relating to Creating a Secure Choice State Retirement Plan Program: H 5417
House Committee on Corporations 2/28/2023
The Economic Progress Institute supports Representative Shanley’s HB5417 to create Secure Choice, retirement plan option for the many tens of thousands of working Rhode Islanders who do not have access to employer-sponsored plans.
Testimony Relating to Minority-Owned Businesses and Women-Owned Business Enterprises: H 5200 Budget Article 3 Section 7 Article 8 Section 1
Senate Committee on Finance 2/16/2023
The Economic Progress Institute supports the Governor’s FY2024 budget proposals in Article 3 Section 7 and Article 8 Section 1 to increase the percentage of dollars reserved for minority-owned and women-owned business in state procurement and construction contracts.
Testimony Relating to Extending the Sunset Dates of Tax Incentive Programs for Economic Development: H 5200 Budget Article 7
House Committee on Finance 2/16/2023
The sunset dates are put in place so that members of the General Assembly have the opportunity to exercise their responsibility to oversee the programs: to continue those that are generating economic activity; to improve those that could be doing a better job of achieving their goals; and to close those that are performing poorly and not providing a good return on investment for Rhode Islanders.
Testimony Relating to the Sales Tax: H 5200 Budget Article 4 Section 2
House Committee on Finance 2/15/2023
The Economic Progress Institute opposes the budget proposal to reduce the state sales tax from 7% to 6.85% as well as proposals to reduce the state sales tax to 6% or to 5%. The available data indicate that these proposals will disproportionately benefit the most well-off Rhode Islanders and thereby not increase equity in the state.
Testimony on H 5200 (Relating to the Motor Fuel Tax)
2/8/2023
The Economic Progress Institute opposes the budget proposal to suspend for two years the three-cent increase in the state’s motor fuel tax, at an estimated cost of $24.6 million in lost revenue. The main reason for our opposition is that there is no guarantee that this tax cut would be passed on to consumers. This is because the motor fuel tax is collected from the distributor and not from consumers at the pump, and the data show that gas tax changes are not reliably passed through to consumers.
Testimony on H 5200 (Relating to the Sales Tax)
2/7/2023
The Economic Progress Institute opposes the budget proposal to reduce the state sales tax from 7% to 6.85% as well as SB92 to reduce the state sales tax to 6% and SB76 to reduce the sales tax to 5%. The main reason for our opposition is that data indicate that these proposals will disproportionately benefit the most well-off Rhode Islanders and thereby not increase equity in the state.
Testimony on H 5217 (Relating to Department of Corrections Data)
2/8/2023
The Economic Progress Institute supports Representative Diaz’s HB5217 to require the Department of Corrections to collect additional data from those individuals entering its custody. To understand whether policy and program proposals and changes are likely to increase or decrease disparities, it is critical to have adequate data.
Testimony on H 5200 (Relating to the Rainy Day Fund)
1/31/2023
The Economic Progress Institute supports the Governor’s budget proposal to create a supplemental “rainy day” fund account. Currently limited to 5% of the state’s General Revenue fund, Rhode Island’s cash stabilization or budget reserve account is much smaller than those of the majority of states, 29 of which are at 10% or higher. The other five New England states are all at least 12%, over twice Rhode Island’s capped fund.
Testimony on H 5200 (Relating to the Motor Fuel Tax)
1/31/2023
The Economic Progress Institute opposes the budget proposal to suspend for two years the three-cent increase in the state’s motor fuel tax, at an estimated cost of $24.6 million in lost revenue. The main reason for our opposition is that there is no guarantee that this tax cut would be passed on to consumers. This is because the motor fuel tax is collected from the distributor and not from consumers at the pump, and the data show that gas tax changes are not reliably passed through to consumers.