In the midst of devastating federal funding cuts, RI lawmakers must act
PROVIDENCE - SEIU members and community allies from across Rhode Island will gather at the State House on Thursday, May 7 for a press conference and lobby day to call on lawmakers to pass Rhode Island’s Revenue Bill (H7313 - Alzate | S2238 - Murray), to create a fairer tax system that works for all Rhode Islanders, not just its wealthiest few.
In the wake of historic tax breaks to the wealthy and sweeping funding cuts, progressive revenue is vital to fund Rhode Island’s broken healthcare system, support children and families, and protect critical public services. Thus legislation would establish an additional 3% personal income tax rate on taxable income above $640,000, generating nearly $200 million in annual revenue for the state.
SEIU members - who work in healthcare facilities, social services, schools, hospitals, child care centers, airports, public sector social work and more - are struggling with the rising costs of groceries, rent, and medical care while wages fail to keep pace. At the same time, proposed federal cuts to Medicaid and SNAP threaten essential healthcare benefits and food assistance to tens of thousands of Rhode Islanders. Governor McKee's proposed millionaire’s tax doesn’t go far enough to offset the phase-out of the Social Security income tax which could equal a $60 million loss in revenue annually once fully implemented in 2030.
Advocates will urge state leaders to act now to prevent devastating cuts and build a fairer Rhode Island for all its citizens.
In the wake of historic tax breaks to the wealthy and sweeping funding cuts, progressive revenue is vital to fund Rhode Island’s broken healthcare system, support children and families, and protect critical public services. Thus legislation would establish an additional 3% personal income tax rate on taxable income above $640,000, generating nearly $200 million in annual revenue for the state.
SEIU members - who work in healthcare facilities, social services, schools, hospitals, child care centers, airports, public sector social work and more - are struggling with the rising costs of groceries, rent, and medical care while wages fail to keep pace. At the same time, proposed federal cuts to Medicaid and SNAP threaten essential healthcare benefits and food assistance to tens of thousands of Rhode Islanders. Governor McKee's proposed millionaire’s tax doesn’t go far enough to offset the phase-out of the Social Security income tax which could equal a $60 million loss in revenue annually once fully implemented in 2030.
Advocates will urge state leaders to act now to prevent devastating cuts and build a fairer Rhode Island for all its citizens.
- WHAT: RI Budget Revenue Day of Action (Press Conference & Lobby Day) in support of H7313 - Alzate | S2238 - Murray
- WHERE: Rhode Island State House Library
- WHEN: Thursday, May 7, 2026 | 3:30PM
- WHO: SEIU State Council which includes SEIU Locals 1199NE, 580, CIR-SEIU, 401 and 32-BJ as well as the Economic Progress Institute and bill sponsors, Rep. Alzate (D-Dist. 60) and Senator Murray (D-Dist. 24)
Contact: Communications Office of SEIU 1199NE at 860-280-6443 or comms@seiu1199ne.org
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SEIU Rhode Island State Council represents nearly 12,000 healthcare, service and public sector workers across Rhode Island who are members of SEIU 1199NE, SEIU Local 580, CIR-SEIU, SEIU Local 401 and SEIU Local 32-BJ. SEIU Rhode Island State Council is affiliated with the Service Employees International Union (SEIU) – a union of over 2 million members across the United States, Puerto Rico and Canada.