RIPEC’s report on Rhode Island’s high taxing and spending, our 82nd Annual Meeting, and the Ocean State’s persistent housing challenges highlight this month’s agenda
RIPEC on Public Policy
- RIPEC released How Rhode Island Compares, an analysis of Rhode Island’s state and local revenues and expenditures compared to the 49 other states and the New England Region. The report found that total Rhode Island spending ranked 17th highest nationally on overall spending, and in the top ten for spending on public safety, K-12 education, government administration, and housing and community development. It also found that the state ranked 18th in revenues, relying heavily on federal aid (7th highest) and property taxes (10th highest).
- Boston Globe, “Rhode Island tops nation in government administration spending, report finds”
- Providence Journal, “Report: RI is ‘markedly outspending’ other states in key areas. What to know.”
- Rhode Island Current, “Hey, big spender: Smallest state spends the most on general government administration”
- WJAR 10, “Expenditure report shows Rhode Island among top spenders on public safety, government”
- Providence Business News, “RIPEC: State may need to reprioritize spending”
- WPRI 12, “RIPEC: Rhode Island 18th in revenue, 17th in spending out of all 50 states”
- WPRO, “Dr. Justine Oliva – RIPEC Report on state spending”
- GoLocalProv, “New RIPEC Report: RI is a High Tax, High Spending State”
- Ocean State Media, “TGIF: Ian Donnis’ Rhode Island politics roundup for Oct. 10th, 2025”
- The Brown Daily Herald, “RI spending on government administration, public safety is among highest in the US”
- RIPEC Senior Policy Analyst Jeffrey Hamill spoke to Rhode Island Monthly about the state’s ongoing housing challenges. The article cited RIPEC’s research that detailed the widening gap between the number of units needed and the number of units coming online. “We’ve passed dozens of laws; we’ve spent hundreds of millions of dollars, and the results aren’t showing up in the numbers,” he said.
- RIPEC held its 82nd Annual Meeting on November 3rd featuring an engaging panel discussion on the future of our local and regional economy. RIPEC also celebrated recipients of the 49th Annual Distinguished Public Service Awards—Maureen E. Ewing, Director of Business Services for the Rhode Island Department of State, and Ronald M. Wolanski, Director of Planning and Economic Development for the Town of Middletown—and highlighted RIPEC’s past achievements and goals for the future.
Inside Insights
- The Tax Foundation issued its annual State Tax Competitiveness Index for 2026. Rhode Island ranked 40th (11th worst) nationwide in its overall tax climate. It ranked in the bottom half of states in individual income taxes, corporate income taxes, and sales taxes, and in the bottom ten for property taxes and unemployment insurance taxes.
- The National Conference of State Legislatures released a special report anticipating the issues that will dominate state lawmakers’ time in the 2026 legislative session. The report highlights a national fiscal environment shaped by slowing revenue growth, declining federal support, and uncertain economic conditions.
- Rhode Island’s Division of Municipal Finance issued its annual Report on the Property Tax Cap for Fiscal Year 2026, finding that the statewide property tax levy increased by 3.69 percent year-over-year, with seven municipalities exceeding the 4.0 percent cap. The median increase among cities and towns was 3.39 percent.
What to Look for in November
- Rhode Island’s November Revenue and Caseload Estimating Conferences will conclude this Monday. The estimates for the current (FY 2026) and next fiscal year (FY 2027) will shape Governor Dan McKee’s FY 2027 budget submission in January. Look for RIPEC’s analysis on the results of the conferences later in the month.
- Release of the Q3 Key Performance Indicators (KPI) Quarterly Briefing will follow publication of reports by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics which have been affected by the federal government shutdown.