Press Releases

State Leaders and Community Members Celebrate 10th Anniversary of Paid Family Leave in Rhode Island
RI Paid Leave Coalition honors leaders of the paid family leave legislation
June 1, 2023
House Majority Leader Blazejewski (District 2), State Senator Valerie Lawson (District 14), Matthew Weldon, Director of Rhode Island Department of Labor & Training, Dr. Beth Toolan, Providence Community Health Center and American Academy of Pediatrics - RI Chapter, Weayonnoh Nelson-Davies, Executive Director of The Economic Progress Institute, and the RI Paid Leave Coalition celebrated the 10th anniversary of Rhode Island’s landmark family paid leave legislation, which was passed in 2013.

Weayonnoh Nelson-Davies Statement Regarding Passage of the Equality in Abortion Care Act (EACA)
May 18, 2023
Weayonnoh Nelson Davies, Executive Director of The Economic Progress Institute made the following statement today regarding the signing of the Equality in Abortion Care Act (EACA) by Governor McKee.

"Rhode Island moved toward a more equitable health care system today by removing barriers to abortion access for medicaid participants and state employees," said Weayonnoh Nelson-Davies, Executive Director of The Economic Progress Institute. "The decision to deny coverage mostly impacted Black and Brown Rhode Islanders, who continue to face economic hardships and discrimination which has led to lower incomes. Tonight, we celebrate with the 100,000 residents that have gained the right to make their own health care decisions and thank the Governor, elected leaders, and advocates for their leadership on abortion rights."

The Economic Progress Institute and Equity Partners Announce Support of Proposed Equity Legislation
Equity review of annual state budget would highlight advances and areas of improvement
March 14, 2023
Weayonnoh Nelson-Davies, Executive Director of The Economic Progress Institute (EPI), State Senators Jonathan Acosta (District 16) and Tiara Mack (District 4), State Representatives Terri Cortvriend (District 72) and Rebecca Kislak (District 4), and 32  community organization members of the Equity Impact Campaign released an equity review of the Governor’s proposed FY2024 budget and announced support of three equity bills.

Raising RI Coalition Kicks Off 2023 Legislative Priorities
Endorsed legislation helps to end deep child poverty and protect families from the impact of inflation
March 7, 2023
The Raising RI Coalition kicked off their 2023 legislative priority campaign at The State Library in the Rhode Island State House today. The coalition’s legislative priorities are included in Senate Bill 227 (Murray) and House Bill 5644 (Handy) which will improve Rhode Island Works, the state’s cash assistance and workforce readiness program.

The Economic Progress Institute Announces Nina Harrison to Serve as Policy Director
Harrison is an experienced leader with expertise in policy and racial justice
February 24, 2023
Weayonnoh Nelson-Davies, Executive Director of The Economic Progress Institute (EPI) announced Nina Harrison will serve as Policy Director, starting February 27, 2023.

The Economic Progress Institute Releases Summary of Governor's Proposed Budget
Budget surpluses and Rescue Plan funds present rare opportunity for long-term investment
February 23, 2023
The Economic Progress Institute today released an analysis of Rhode Island Governor Dan Mckee’s proposed FY2024 budget and revised FY2023 budget. The budget analysis summarizes policy proposals and spending recommendations of particular relevance to low-income and modest-income Rhode Islanders. Governor McKee released his proposed $13.75 billion budget for FY2024 (July 1, 2023 through June 30, 2024) on January 19, as well as his revised budget for FY2023, which ends on June 30, 2023.