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The proposed tax hike on top earners is also a tax on businesses, which directly affects the economy and jobs. PBN has more on our new brief, which shows that 56% of top earners in RI report business income and losses on their income tax return. pbn.com/ripec-wealth-t…

While it may sound appealing to tax higher income taxpayers, RI would become less competitive in its ability to attract and retain business activity and investment.

If the General Assembly passes this tax hike, it might make one budget cycle a little easier, but we will be right back in the same place next year given our structural deficit, with little to show for it other than a less competitive tax climate for business.

It is imperative that the General Assembly resolve governance issues over housing policy. In 2022, the Department of Housing was established as the lead agency for housing, but the powers of other agencies with overlapping authorities were not addressed.

April brought another mostly negative jobs report. The good news: RI-based jobs grew by 300. The rest of news is not so good. Employed RIers down 1200 for month and 6600 for year. Unemployed up 300 for month, 3800 for year. Labor force down 900 for month, 2700 for year.

Thank you to Antonia Noori Farzan and Providence Journal for their comprehensive coverage of this important issue. The Housing Resources Comm'n needs to be reformed for the state to move forward on housing. Governor Dan McKee and RI Executive Office of Housing deserve credit for their leadership on this issue.

Thanks to Laurie White and Providence Chamber for their advocacy in opposition to the short-sighted proposal to sharply increase income taxes on high earners. As pointed out in the op ed, there are no announcements when businesses leave or decide not to invest in RI.

Our panelists reflect the wide range of voices shaping housing development—from municipal zoning reform to real estate economics—bringing unique insights and innovative solutions to the conversation on improving housing in Rhode Island.

Senator jakeforsenate is closing out RIPEC’s Housing Forum with perspectives from real Rhode Islanders experiencing housing challenges across the economic spectrum.

RIPEC's Housing Forum brought together public & private leaders to address RI’s housing challenges. From zoning reform to streamlining development, the focus was on real market- & government-driven solutions to drive needed housing production.

Today, Senate Housing & Municipal Government Committee Chairman Jacob Bissaillon (jakeforsenate) took part in RIPEC’s 2025 Housing Forum. Watch here: capitoltvri.cablecast.tv/show/11339?sit…

Thank you Joe Shekarchi for your keynote remarks and your leadership on housing.

If we pass this tax hike, we may make one budget cycle a little easier, but we will be right back in the same place next year, with little to show for it.

Commentary from Katherine Loughead Tax Foundation asks why some RI lawmakers want to emulate MA instead of outcompete it. RIPEC’s analysis found the proposed income tax hike is much steeper than MA's tax—lower income threshold plus a marriage penalty. rhodeislandcurrent.com/2025/06/09/rho…

May jobs report for RI was mixed, but strong growth in RI-based jobs--up by 1,100 for month and 4,800 since a year ago. Unemployed down 100. But employed Rhode Islanders down 400 and labor force down 500. Technical services, ed, and health care led gains, while gov't jobs fell.

"The governor has a point," RIPEC CEO Michael DiBiase tells me He notes RI spending has gone up roughly 11% over the last two years, or 2x inflation "There's not a lot of austerity in this budget, despite the fact that state revenues are slowing down" wpri.com/news/politics-…

Congratulations, Lauren! Well-deserved!

Kudos to Nancy Lavin for her thorough and insightful coverage of the various moving parts of the recently enacted state budget. I am happy to have provided some input in connection with this most recent article.