RIPEC focused on key issues shaping Rhode Island’s future, including Rhode Island’s Medicaid program, K-12 education reform, and state labor market trends
RIPEC on Public Policy
- RIPEC released a report examining Rhode Island’s Medicaid Program, finding that state spending is projected to continue to increase nearly three times faster than state revenues. The report notes that while Rhode Island maintains relatively moderate costs per individual enrollee, state-funded spending relative to personal income is among the highest in the country because of expansive income eligibility ceilings and broad optional benefits. High expenditure growth is projected despite declining enrollment, as more than 30,000 Rhode Islanders are expected to lose coverage under new federal rules.
- Providence Business News, “RIPEC: Medicaid spending on the rise despite declining enrollments”
- Ocean State Media “TGIF: Ian Donnis’ Rhode Island politics roundup for July 31, 2026”
- GoLocalProv, “RI’s Spending on Medicaid Is Outpacing State Revenue Growth 3 to 1, Says New Report”
- RI News Today, “RIPEC Report: RI Medicaid Spending Continues to Grow Rapidly Despite Declining Enrollment”
- In an op-ed for The Boston Globe, RIPEC President and CEO Michael DiBiase and Director of Policy and Research Justine Oliva used RIPEC’s research on K-12 investments to highlight the mismatch between Rhode Island’s eighth-highest national ranking in per-pupil spending and its middling student outcomes. The commentary outlines critical steps for state and local leaders to implement: better aligning funding with student need, prioritizing spending on instructional quality, right-sizing district operations for declining enrollment, and establishing greater spending accountability.
- RIPEC and the Center for Global and Regional Economic Studies at Bryant University’s Key Performance Indicators (KPI) Briefing for the second quarter of 2026 showed a weakening state labor market. WhileRhode Island’s unemployment rate fell to 4.3% in Q2, this was driven by a sharp drop in labor force participation—marking eight consecutive quarters of decline—rather than job growth. Resident employment decreased for a fourth straight quarter and Rhode Island-based nonfarm jobs fell by 600.
- Providence Business News, “RIPEC: R.I.’s labor market weakens in Q2”
- The Rhode Island Department of Education announced the adoption of new statewide attendance policies that reflect key recommendations from RIPEC’s February 2026 report on chronic student absenteeism. The new policies establish a consistent statewide definition of attendance and require schools and districts with elevated chronic absenteeism rates to incorporate attendance goals and strategies into their improvement plans. RIPEC’s research highlighted the importance of consistent measurement and the need to more consistently implement evidence-based strategies.
- RIPEC Director of Policy and Research Justine Oliva was elected vice president of the Governmental Research Association, a national network of independent, nonpartisan public policy research organizations.
Inside Insights
- The National Association of State Budget Officer’s July update on state budget enactments shows states confronting a fourth consecutive year of slowing revenue growth alongside mounting cost pressures in areas like Medicaid, employee benefits, education, and housing affordability. In response, governors across the country recommended largely flat general fund spending for FY 2026 while prioritizing rainy day fund reserves to cushion against economic uncertainty.
What to Look for in August
- RIPEC will release a report analyzing Rhode Island’s expenditures on police and fire protection services.
- Nominations are open for RIPEC’s 50th Annual Public Service Awards. The awards offer a chance to honor outstanding local and state employees who make a real difference, going above and beyond to serve Rhode Islanders. Nominations are due on Friday, September 4, 2026.