This legislative session may be one of the most consequential sessions in Rhode Island’s modern history. The slashing of federal funds and elimination of critical federal programs will make it difficult for many to meet their basic needs, and children and seniors will suffer the most.
To fill the federal funding gap, Rhode Island will need to generate an estimated $70 million to maintain programs that help children eat, parents work, and families have warm, safe homes. Unless there are changes at the federal level, this is our new reality.
The Greater Providence Chamber of Commerce and the Rhode Island Public Expenditure Council recently called the proposal to fund much-needed investments in child care, education, public transportation, seniors, health care and roads by taxing the top 1% “a gimmick.” I argue that the needs of children and families are no gimmick. To suggest otherwise is out of touch and offensive to the many who are struggling.
Have you ever sat in a classroom and witnessed a hungry child attempt to learn? Have you ever consoled a mother crying at work because she had to leave her young child in unsafe care so she wouldn’t lose her job? Have you been forced to stand outside in the cold for an hour because the public bus was too full to take you home?
These challenges are real and the negative outcomes that result from them have been documented year after year in the Rhode Island KIDS COUNT Factbook. The disparities in outcomes for children persist and the numbers don’t improve enough because Rhode Island is simply not doing enough!
I agree with my colleagues at the Providence Chamber and RIPEC that we need accountability for all state funds to eliminate waste, and we need an efficient and effective government to serve the people of Rhode Island. However, I would go further and say that state government needs to become nimbler and more innovative to properly address urgent issues and the changing needs of our state. Antiquated systems, out-of-date policies and old-time thinking do not serve any of us well.
And I strongly doubt that we can make up for the potential loss of $70 million in federal dollars and the anticipated $101 million state budget gap by only implementing recommendations from efficiency studies.
I commend Gov. Dan McKee, House Speaker Joe Shekarchi, and Senate President Valarie Lawson for being open to a tax proposal which would generate sustainable revenue for much needed programs and services. Taxing the top 1% and ensuring that those funds are restricted to programs that benefit the common good, like investments in health care, food and child care systems, can ease concerns that tax dollars would be used to fuel inefficiencies.
In this legislative session we will see how lawmakers meet the moment and use tax dollars to protect our kids and families from the harm created by federal cuts. There is no gimmick here – the needs are real, the harm is looming, and a solution is possible.
This was published in The Providence Journal on January 24, 2026.