PROVIDENCE – Rhode Island House Minority Leader Michael Chippendale, a Republican representing District 40 in Glocester, Coventry and Foster, issued a statement regarding the state’s $14.3 billion FY26 budget, set for final vote in the Senate on Friday, June 20.
“While every state budget carries some good and some bad fiscal policies and appropriations, this budget is outweighed by the bad,” said Chippendale. “Rhode Island continues to rank among the top 10 states with the highest tax burden per capita. Yet, this budget fails to demonstrate the kind of fiscal restraint our residents deserve. Rather than focusing on long-overdue spending reforms, this plan leans on increased fees, higher taxes, and growth in government. These choices will only worsen our economic competitiveness and place even greater strain on our struggling taxpayers.”
Chippendale noted that during the 2025 legislative session, members of the House Republican Caucus put forward a responsible approach to right-size Rhode Island’s budget, which he said remains disproportionate to the size of the state, its economy, and its population.
“This level of spending is unsustainable and continues to place a heavy burden on taxpayers,” he said.
“Our caucus remains committed to making government operations more accountable, transparent, and efficient. Through the legislative process this year, we have consistently focused on identifying areas of waste, improving oversight, and introducing efficiencies at every level of government,” added Chippendale. “Our legislative efforts include proposals such as creating an Office of Inspector General, advancing student success in education, modernizing critical infrastructure, and supporting private-sector solutions to housing, healthcare, and job growth. These initiatives are aimed at delivering measurable outcomes for the people of Rhode Island.”
Chippendale said that other Democratically led states are recognizing the economic headwinds and are actively working to cut costs, reduce the size of their state workforces, and tighten their belts.
“The Trump administration is rightfully withholding federal funds from states that are not complying with federal law or executive orders, and whether one dislikes this or agrees with this is irrelevant, as it is indeed the reality of our situation. Rhode Island should be adapting to these conditions, not ignoring them,” he said. “By failing to act now, we risk having to return later this year to pass a supplemental budget. That will almost certainly require deep cuts and additional tax increases. This outcome would be far more disruptive than if we had made responsible adjustments now.”
“Hard working Rhode Island families are already doing more than their fair share. We should be finding ways to ease that burden, not add to it. This budget may represent reasonable appropriations in some areas, but it does not do enough to put Rhode Island on a sustainable path forward.”
Vote the Democrats out!