RIPEC In The News
RIPEC’s 2025 Annual Meeting
https://vimeo.com/1135370756?share=copy The Rhode Island Public Expenditure Council (RIPEC) hosted its 49th Annual Meeting on Monday, November 3rd, celebrating excellence in public service and exploring the
RIPEC Honors Distinguished Public Servants
The Rhode Island Public Expenditure Council (RIPEC) hosted its 49th Annual Meeting on Monday, November 3rd, celebrating excellence in public service and exploring the future
How Rhode Island Compares: In the News
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
RIPEC President & CEO on WPRI 12 Newsmakers
RIPEC President & CEO Michael DiBiase discussed RIPEC’s budget report findings in a feature on WPRI 12’s Newsmakers. Describing the continued increase in spending as “concerning,” he
RIPEC’s 2025 Housing Forum
RIPEC held a Housing Forum at the Gilbane Learning Center on Wednesday, May 28, 2025. The forum brought together leaders from across the public and
WJAR Reports on RIPEC’s Analysis of State and Local K-12 Funding
RIPEC’s recent report on Rhode Island’s shift in state and local taxes and its effect on K-12 education funding was highlighted in a WJAR story. RIPEC’s report found
RIPEC Housing Report Featured in Providence Journal Story on Affordable Housing Project
RIPEC’s October report on housing was featured in a Providence Journal story on the struggle that Tempo, an affordable housing project on Parcel 9 in
RIPEC Publishes Op-Ed on Providence’s Unbalanced Property Tax System
RIPEC published an op-ed in the Boston Globe calling on Providence city leaders to address the gross disparity in property tax rates among resident homeowners, businesses, landlords,
Rhode Island KPI Briefing for Q3: In the News
Rhode Island’s economy showed mixed performance across key indicators in the third quarter of 2024, according to the Rhode Island Key Performance Indicators Briefing, released by RIPEC in
RIPEC’s 81st Annual Meeting
RIPEC held its 81st Annual Meeting on Wednesday, October 23, 2024. The Annual Meeting featured election insights from Nathan Gonzales, Editor and Publisher of Inside
RIPEC Research Featured in National Volume
RIPEC’s report on enrollment and absenteeism trends in Rhode Island public schools was featured in a recently-published volume of select works from the Government Research Association (GRA). The volume includes
RIPEC Housing Policy Analysis: In the News
Rhode Island Current, “R.I. spent hundreds of millions on affordable housing. Did it get its money’s worth?” WPRI 12, “RI housing report calls for broader
RIPEC on K-12 Enrollment Trends
RIPEC’s report on empty seats in Rhode Island classrooms was featured in a Providence Business News story on the fiscal challenges school districts are facing—a result of long-standing enrollment declines that
RIPEC on Municipal COVID Relief Funding
Providence Business news interviewed Michael DiBiase for a story about how municipalities in Rhode Island have been spending their $536.8 million allocation of federal pandemic-era American Rescue Plan
RIPEC President & CEO on State Spending
RIPEC President and CEO Michael DiBiase told the Rhode Island Current that the McKee administration’s recent efforts to rein in spending are “necessary and appropriate given the deficit they
RI Key Performance Indicators Briefing: In the News
Providence Business News, “RIPEC: Q2 results show state’s economy continues to move in positive direction” WPRI 12, “Nesi’s Notes” What’s Up Newp, “Rhode Island’s economy
RIPEC seeks nominations for the 48th Annual Public Service Awards
It’s your chance to shine a light on unsung heroes who have made outstanding contributions to public service. Awardees will be recognized at our annual meeting on Wednesday,
Op-Ed: With tighter fiscal times ahead, R.I. Assembly must use surplus wisely in state budget
RIPEC President & CEO Michael DiBiase published an op-ed in the Boston Globe calling on Rhode Island’s General Assembly to use newly-projected surplus funds wisely
RIPEC on Growing City and Town Wealth Inequity
In a story on the growing wealth inequality between communities in the Ocean State, Michael DiBiase told the Providence Business News that “our cities and
RIPEC on Return of Affordable Housing Investment
RIPEC’s recent work on affordable housing was the basis for a recent Providence Business News story on the limited production the state is likely to
RI Current Op-Ed Series: Four Issues for FY 2025 & Beyond
“Rhode Island’s K-12 school funding formula isn’t working: We need comprehensive reform“ “Rhode Island needs to pick up the pace to tackle affordable housing crisis“
Empty Seats in Rhode Island Classrooms in the News
WPRI 12, “‘Empty Seats’: New report details rapid decline in RI public-school enrollment‘ WJAR 10, “Report: 7,000 students have left Rhode Island public schools since
RI Business Tax Climate: In the News
Boston Globe, “Rhode Island surpasses neighbors in business tax rankings as Massachusetts plummets following ‘millionaire’s tax’” Providence Business News, “RIPEC: Legislative proposals could significantly worsen
Rhode Island’s Budget in Transition In the News
Providence Journal, “Inflated by federal funds, state spending ballooned. Now, this group is sending out a warning.” Providence Business News, “RIPEC urges fiscal ‘restraint’ for
Multilingual Learner Funding Interview and Op-Ed
Following a recent RIPEC policy brief on funding for Rhode Island’s K-12 multilingual learners, Michael DiBiase told WJAR 10 that multilingual learners now make up
Providence Business News: RIPEC awarded for tax proposal
Speaking with the Providence Business News about RIPEC receiving the Governmental Research Association’s Outstanding Policy Achievement award for its work on the state’s adoption of
Providence Journal Op-Ed on Tangible Tax Legislation
In a Providence Journal Op-Ed, Michael DiBiase applauded the General Assembly for establishing a new $50,000 statewide tangible tax exemption, describing it as “practical legislation
“Rhode Island’s Education Funding Formula Revised”: In the News
Providence Business News, “RIPEC: Some changes to education aid were positive but ‘reversed progress’ on equity” Providence Journal, “How has RI education funding changed? We
“The Governor’s FY 2024 Budget and the State’s Fiscal Outlook”: In the News
Boston Globe, “RIPEC warns that budget ‘dramatically higher’ than 5 years ago.” Phode Island Current, “New RIPEC Report: ‘Be prepared to curtail the level of
Building Our Future: RIPEC’s K-12 Education Forum
On May 17, 2023, RIPEC held “Building Our Future: Improving K-12 Education in Rhode Island,” a half-day forum dedicated to addressing some of the most
RIPEC on Tangible Property Tax Exemption Legislation
Expressing support for tangible personal property exemption bills moving through the Rhode Island House and Senate, RIPEC President and CEO Michael DiBiase told the Rhode
RIPEC President and CEO on Economic Forecasts
Rhode Island may have to make “hard choices around tax relief and spending” considering the relatively sluggish economic growth detailed by economic firm S&P Global
Providence Journal Cites RIPEC Municipal Services Report
A recent Providence Journal article on consolidation of city and town services cited a number of findings from RIPEC’s December 2022 report on municipal services,
RIPEC President & CEO on Rhode Island’s Estate Tax Burden
Michael DiBiase spoke to the Rhode Island Current about a proposal by the governor of Massachusetts to lessen that state’s estate tax burden, and what
RIPEC President & CEO on Higher Education Funding
Responding to the news that the University of Rhode Island, which has long been underfunded, now enrolls more out-of-state students than in-state students, RIPEC President
RIPEC President and CEO on Political Roundtable
Michael DiBiase appeared on The Public Radio’s Political Roundtable to discuss education and tax reform, the projected budget surplus, and more. “I was gratified to
RIPEC President & CEO Op-Ed on K-12 Education
In a Boston Globe Op-Ed, RIPEC President and CEO Michael DiBiase urged “leadership to step up at every level” to fix Rhode Island’s K-12 school
“RI Falls to Bottom Ten States in Business Tax Climate Index”: In the News
Boston Globe, “R.I. falls to bottom 10 for business tax competitiveness” Go Local Prov, “Double Trouble Economic News in RI – Slowing Economy and Less
RIPEC President & CEO Comments on Local ARPA Spending
Responding to the plans of some local governments to use some of their collective $537 million in American Rescue Plan Act funds to subsidize nonprofits
RIPEC Research Manager on K-12 Reform
In articles focused on the school systems of Pawtucket and Central Falls as well as North Providence, RIPEC Research Manager Justine Oliva told The Valley
“Municipal Services: How Cities and Towns Spend Their Money”: In The News
Go Local Prov, “RI Communities Spend ‘Much More’ Than Other Parts of the Country on Police and Fire” Providence Business News, “RIPEC: Local governments underinvesting
KPI Briefing for Q3 2022 In The News
The Boston Globe, “R.I. seeing ‘historically low unemployment’ but not growing jobs, RIPEC report finds” Providence Business News, “Report: R.I. economy shows improvement amid slower
RIPEC’s 2022 Annual Meeting
On October 24, 2022, RIPEC hosted its Annual Meeting for the first time in person since 2019. At the Meeting, RIPEC welcomed business, government, and
“Improving Rhode Island’s K-12 Schools” In The News
WPRI 12, “Report: Rhode Island’s K-12 education system is in crisis” The Boston Globe, “Rhode Map: How to fix Rhode Island’s education crisis, according to
RIPEC President & CEO Comments on Projected Surplus
Commenting on new estimates from fiscal year (FY) 2022 showing that state general revenues in Rhode Island continue to exceed estimates, RIPEC President and CEO Michael
RIPEC President & CEO “In the Arena”
Michael DiBiase joined Joe Paolino “In the Arena” to discuss the enacted state budget, Rhode Island’s labor market, and proposals for addressing Providence’s large unfunded
RIPEC President & CEO Comments on ESSER Funds
Responding to a WPRI-12 analysis showing that many of the state’s largest school districts have not begun spending their allocations of the $333.1 million in
Q2 2022 KPI Briefing: In the News
“RIPEC, Bryant report: R.I. economy shows improvement in Q2” Providence Business News “Ian Donnis’ Rhode Island politics roundup for July 29, 2022” The Public’s Radio
RIPEC Research Manager Remarks on May Jobs Report
RIPEC Manager of Research Justine Oliva told The Boston Globe that May economic data for Rhode Island gives a mixed perspective on the state’s recovery
RIPEC Comments on Property Revaluation Delays
RIPEC President and CEO Michael DiBiase spoke with WJAR 10 about proposed delays in municipal property revaluations, which make property tax systems less equitable by
Michael DiBiase on Rhode Island’s FY 2023 Budget as Enacted
Commenting on the recently enacted $13.6 billion state tax and spending plan for fiscal year (FY) 2023 to the Providence Journal, RIPEC President and CEO
RIPEC President & CEO on WPRI 12’s Newsmakers
RIPEC President and CEO Michael DiBiase appeared on WRPI 12’s Newsmakers to discuss the ongoing efforts of Rhode Island municipalities and school districts to effectively
Boston Globe Op-Ed on ARPA and Surplus Spending
RIPEC President and CEO Michael DiBiase argued in an op-ed published in The Boston Globe that Rhode Island policymakers should use a portion of the windfall
RIPEC President & CEO Comments on Municipal ARPA Spending Plans
Municipalities are grappling with spending federal American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds as they craft budgets for the upcoming fiscal year. Michael DiBiase spoke with
RIPEC Gubernatorial Forum
RIPEC hosted a gubernatorial candidate forum on May 5, 2022, moderated by WPRI Investigative Reporter Steph Machado. The forum featured candidates Matt Brown, Helena Buonanno
“Rhode Island’s Funding Formula After Ten Years”: In the News
“Report says Rhode Island public schools ‘approaching state of crisis’” WJAR 10 “Report: Poor districts hurt by RI K-12 funding formula” WPRI 12 “Report: RIPEC
“The Governor’s FY 2023 Budget and the State’s Fiscal Outlook”: In the News
“RIPEC report warns of increasing general revenue spending trend” Providence Business News “Eleanor Slater cost per patient balloons to $760k per year, report finds” WPRI
RIPEC President & CEO Comments on Providence Pension Obligation Bond Proposal
RIPEC President and CEO Michael DiBiase testified before the Rhode Island House Finance Committee in support of the City of Providence’s proposed $515 million pension
RIPEC Hosting Forum with Gubernatorial Candidates
PROVIDENCE, RI – The Rhode Island Public Expenditure Council announced that it is hosting a gubernatorial forum on May 5th, 2022, with candidates (so far…)
RIPEC & Bryant Q4 KPI Briefing: In The News
“Study: RI economy recovers from pandemic but slower than nation’s economy“ The Providence Journal “RIPEC, Bryant University release economic outlook for fourth quarter” ABC 6
RIPEC Property Tax Report In the News
“New report says R.I.’s property tax system is ‘out of balance,’ hindering affordable housing construction, economic development“ The Boston Globe “RIPEC: Municipal property tax system
RIPEC President and CEO Comments on Governor’s FY 2023 Budget Proposal
RIPEC President and CEO Michael DiBiase commented to the Providence Business News that Governor Daniel J. McKee’s fiscal year 2023 budget proposal is relatively conservative
RIPEC Policy Brief on Business Tax Climate” In The News
“RI Drops in Business Ranking – Now Ranked 40th“ GoLocalProv “RIPEC: R.I. backslid in tax rankings, but 2022 presents opportunity for reform” Providence Business News
Key Performance Indicators Quarterly Briefing for Q3 2021: In the News
“RIPEC, Bryant report shows improved state economic outlook in Q3“ Providence Business News “RI economy makes Q3 gains, but still 26K jobs below pre-pandemic levels“
Rhode Island Foundation Report Release
“RI Foundation panel sees housing, mental health, training as best uses of $1.1 billion federal windfall“ WPRI 12 “Housing is top priority in new recommendations
RIPEC & the RI Foundation’s Make It Happen Initiative
“The Rhode Island Foundation, RIPEC and the Economic Progress Institute plan to submit a handful of ideas to top lawmakers and the governor by the
RIPEC President & CEO To Serve on Providence Financial Working Group
Working group to make recommendations on Providence’s underfunded pension WPRI 12 Elorza’s working group frames Providence pension crisis as statewide issue The Public’s Radio Elorza
RIPEC President & CEO Comments on Providence Pension Obligation Bond Proposal
In response to a plan from the City of Providence to borrow up to $850 million in pension obligation bonds, Michael DiBiase submitted written testimony
An Analysis of Charter Public Schools in Rhode Island: In the News
“RIPEC recommends expanding charters, opposes moratorium“ WPRI “Public policy group recommends that charter expansion continues but says local school districts need more aid“ Providence Journal
RIPEC Joins Business Community to Oppose Higher Earner Income Tax, PPP Loan Tax
“R.I. business community mobilizing against added income tax bracket, PPP tax“ Providence Business News “Coalition argues this isn’t time for new taxes“ Warwick Beacon “Business
Current Economic Indicator Briefing for Q1 2021: In the News
“R.I.’s economy grew in first quarter, but not as much as other New England states” Boston Globe “Report: RI economy recovering but trailing region, country”
RIPEC President & CEO Charter School Op-Ed
“Charter moratorium wrong for K-12 Education“ Providence Journal “RI must commit to improved student outcomes“ Warwick Beacon
RIPEC Report “An Introduction to Municipal Finance:” In the News
“RIPEC floats an interesting idea for improving school funding” Boston Globe “Report: ‘Property wealth’ gaps among R.I. municipalities causing education disparities“ Providence Business News
RIPEC Supports the RI Foundation’s Make It Happen Initiative
“How should RI spend $1 billion federal windfall? RI Foundation seeks to generate ideas” WPRI “R.I. Foundation launches initiative to develop recommendations for state on
RIPEC President and CEO Comments on American Rescue Plan Aid
In appearances on The Public’s Radio’s Political Round Table and WPRI’s Newsmakers, , RIPEC President and CEO Michael DiBiase suggested that state policymakers use new
RIPEC Report “How Rhode Island Compares”: In the News
“Report: R.I. lags in higher education spending but overspends on K-12″ Boston Globe “RIPEC: R.I. comparatively underspends on higher education, but overspends on K-12“ Providence
RIPEC President and CEO Comments on how RI’s $500 million budget deficit could disappear if Biden plan passes
“Michael DiBiase, president and CEO of the Rhode Island Public Expenditure Council, indicated Tuesday night he thinks his group’s $500 million deficit estimate from last month is
RIPEC President and CEO Weighs in on RhodeWorks’ Five-year Anniversary as Part of a WPRI Report on Truck Tolls
President and CEO Mike DeBiase noted that unlike many other states, Rhode Island has no general revenue appropriation for transportation, and has struggled to find
RIPEC and Center for Global and Regional Economic Studies Current Economic Indicators Briefing: In the News
“Report: RI economy fell further behind New England, US at the end of 2020“ Providence Journal “Report: R.I. GDP declines at 2% annual rate in
RIPEC President & CEO Speaks to Providence Journal About December Unemployment Figures
“Michael DiBiase, president and CEO of the Rhode Island Public Expenditure Council, called the December DLT report “troubling” and said the continuing downturn has implications
RIPEC Report “R.I. FY 2021 Enacted Budget and the Fiscal Challenges Ahead”: In the News
“Rhode Island faces $513 million budget shortfall” Boston Globe “RIPEC advises ‘more urgency’ in addressing state FY22 budget deficit” Providence Business News “RI Potentially Facing
Newsweek cites RIPEC report in article ranking state investment in education
Rhode Island ranked 11th in a Newsweek ranking of education spending by state that reference’s RIPEC’s report on school reopening. Read the full article here.
Current Economic Indicator Briefing: In the News
‘RI economy sprang back this summer, but lags region, nation’ Providence Journal ‘Report: Despite job gains, R.I. economic activity ‘severely constrained’ in Q3‘ Providence Business
RIPEC’s Policy Brief on Business Tax Climate Index: In the News
‘RIPEC suggests steps to boost R.I. business tax climate’ Providence Business News ‘Group says better tax rankings are reason not to tax rich’ Providence Journal
RIPEC Welcomes Four New Directors to its Board
RIPEC welcomed four new Directors to its Board last week: Junior Jabbie, President & CEO of Banneker Supply Chain Solutions; Wade Knudson, Deputy Vice President,
RIPEC President and CEO Discusses Coronavirus Relief Fund Spending in Rhode Island with Providence Business News
Michael DiBiase commented on a Providence Business News article about Rhode Island’s $1.25 billion federal Coronavirus Relief Fund allocation, and the $900 million that remains
President and CEO Michael DiBiase Discusses “Green” Bond with the Boston Globe
In response to a question about the governor’s proposed $69 million “green” bond, RIPEC President and CEO Michael DiBiase told the Boston Globe that green
RIPEC’s Latest Report “Elementary and Secondary Education in the Pandemic”: In the News
RIPEC’s report on school reopenings raises concerns about increased inequity across Rhode Island’s public K-12 system. The report analyzes key aspects of the education experience
Municipal Resilience Task Force Convenes for the First Time
Amid backlash from municipal leaders towards the news that the administration plans to cut state aid to distressed communities by half, the governor’s Municipal Resilience
RIPEC and Bryant University’s Center for Global and Regional Economic Studies’ CEI Cited by The Bond Buyer
In an article on the Rhode Island state budget and proposed bond initiatives, The Bond Buyer cited RIPEC and Bryant University’s Center for Global and
President & CEO Michael DiBiase on the Governor’s Interest in Merging the State’s Turnpike and Bridge Authority, Department of Transportation, and Public Transit Authority
Michael DiBiase told The Public’s Radio that the governor’s interest in merging the state’s Turnpike and Bridge Authority, Department of Transportation, and Public Transit Authority
RIPEC’s President & CEO Announced as Part of Governor Raimondo’s Municipal Resilience Task Force
RIPEC President and CEO Michael DiBiase was appointed by Governor Gina Raimondo to an eight-member Municipal Resilience Task Force, charged with developing recommendations to “build
RIPEC’s President & CEO Responds to Proposal to Increase Rhode Island’s Rainy Day Fund
Responding to a proposal from House Speaker Nicholas Mattiello to ask voters to change the state constitution to increase Rhode Island’s rainy day fund from
RIPEC Jointly Hosts Interactive Webinar with Bryant’s Hassenfeld Institute
In a Providence Journal interview and the “Reinvesting in Rhode Island after COVID” interactive webinar jointly convened by RIPEC and Bryant University’s Hassenfeld Institute, Michael
RIPEC’s President & CEO Michael DiBiase on WPRI’s Newsmakers
Pointing out that the federal Coronavirus Relief Fund is “one time money,” RIPEC President and CEO Michael DiBiase said that Rhode Island needs to get
Current Economic Indicator Briefing; In the News
The Current Economic Indicator Briefing, jointly released by RIPEC and the Center for Global and Regional Economic Studies at Bryant University, estimated that the historic
RIPEC’s President & CEO Pens Op Ed in Providence Business News
In a Providence Business News op ed entitled “Pandemic offers R.I. leaders a chance to reassess priorities,” RIPEC’s President and CEO Michael DiBiase argued that
The Center for Global and Regional Economic Studies at Bryant University and RIPEC’s CEI: In the News
April jobs numbers for Rhode Island show a sharp decline, but the impact of the pandemic is uneven among Ocean State industries, according to the
RIPEC’s report “The Impacts of the COVID-19 Crisis on Rhode Island’s Unemployment and Temporary Disability Insurance Programs”: In the News
“The Impacts of the COVID-19 Crisis on Rhode Island’s Unemployment and Temporary Disability Insurance Programs,” analyzes the fiscal stability of the state’s unemployment and temporary
RIPEC’s President and CEO Michael DiBiase Speaks in Panel “Covid-19 and Public Finances in Rhode Island.”
RIPEC’s President and CEO Michael DiBiase laid out the budgetary challenges facing state policymakers and offered words of advice in “Covid-19 and Public Finances in
RIPEC’s Report “The COVID-19 Economic Crisis: Federal Assistance and Rhode Island’s Budget”: In the News
RIPEC’s newest report “The COVID-19 Economic Crisis: Federal Assistance and Rhode Island’s Budget,” analyzes the federal funding provided to Rhode Island under recent legislation. “The