​ 
Governor’s Budget Released
 
Governor McKee released his vision for the FY2024 budget. The 204-page document addresses his ideas for spending the $610 million in surplus money, for a total budget of $13.8 billion.  The spending plan includes additional money for education, mental health, the environment, infrastructure and capital projects, as well as tax cuts and tax freezes.  Over the next few weeks, the Chamber will take a look at particular budget Articles to give you a closer look at what the budget contains.  What’s next?  The House Finance Committee and the Senate Finance Committee will begin to hold hearings in the next few weeks.  Those hearings will continue through May.  The May Revenue Estimating Conference is held mid-May.  This conference reviews the revenue and expenditure data in order to determine the most up-to-date estimates; and then the House Finance Committee will vote out a revised budget in June if all goes to plan.
 
Budget Article 4 – Relating to Taxation
 
Article 4 proposes to (1) freeze the gas tax at its current level, (2) reduce the sales tax from 7% to 6.85%, and (3) eliminate the litter control license fee for businesses.
 
In 2014, the legislature passed a budget that included an automatic increase in the gasoline tax.  Every two years the tax is adjusted by the percentage of increase in the Consumer Price Index.  The next increase is scheduled to occur July 1, 2023, and it will be a 3-cent increase from the current 34 cents a gallon to 37 cents a gallon.  The Governor proposes to freeze the tax at 34 cpg until July 1, 2025 at which time the tax would be adjusted accordingly.  The freeze is estimated to save consumers $25 million over the next two years.
 
In his State of the State Address, Governor McKee pointed out that the State’s sales tax “was raised during the banking crisis with a promise to be reduced once the crisis was over.  That didn’t happen.”  The proposed budget includes a sales tax decrease from 7% to 6.85%.  The Governor considers this reduction a “first phase” with the hope of continuing to decrease the tax until it matches Massachusetts at 6.25%.  The initial reduction is estimated to reduce state revenues by $35 million a year.  A tax rate of 6.25%. would result in a revenue reduction of $173 million a year. 
 
The final piece of Article 4 is the elimination of the Taxation of Beverage Containers and Hard-To-Dispose Material.  Under current law Beverage wholesalers (defined as those who engage in the “sale of beverage containers to beverage retailers in this state, including any brewer, manufacturer, or bottler who engages in those sales”) pay a fee based on their gross receipts.  The fee starts at $25 and can go as high as $1000 per year.  Article 4 eliminates the fee, saving Rhode Island wholesalers just under $1 million.
 
Budget Article 6 – Relating to Small Business
 
Article 6 (1) clarifies that municipalities have the ability to license second-hand metal article sales, (2) exempts local licensing requirements for second-hand consignment good, resale goods, thrift goods and antiques, (3) lowers the minimum corporate tax from $400 to $375, (4) eliminates the trade-in value for trucks and motorcycles from sales tax, and (5) creates a food products donation tax credit.
 
The first two elements of this article deal with local licensing requirements.  The intent is to exempt from local licensure, “second-hand consignment goods” defined as “items, including but not limited to artwork, furniture, clothing, accessories and books that are sold by a third party, which receives a percentage of the revenue form the sale.”  The Article also exempts “Resale goods” defined as “artwork, furniture, clothing, accessories and books that are purchased from the original owner and resold.”  “Thrift Goods” are defined as “artwork, furniture, clothing accessories, and books, that are sold by or on behalf of a charity or non-profit organization.  And, “Antiques” are defined as “items made in an earlier period that are collected and considered to have value because they are beautiful, rare, old, or of high quality.”   Anyone selling these items would no longer need to be locally licensed if this Article passes as is.
 
The Governor proposes to decrease the minimum corporate tax from $400 a year to $375.  This is estimated to affect 65,000 business entities.  The revenue reduction has not yet been released.
 
Article 6 eliminates, from sales tax, the trade-in value on motorcycles and trucks with a gross weight of up to 14,000 pounds.  This issue comes up every year in the legislature.  This item is estimated to save consumers about $5 million per year.
 
Lastly, Article 6 creates a new “Food Products Donation Tax Credit” in the amount of 15% of the value of donated food up to $5,000 for a taxable year.  Anyone who derives income from growing fruits, nuts, grains, vegetables or other food products, or raises animals for consumption can donate food to a food pantry and claim the credit against taxes owed to the state. The language includes a 4-year carryforward provision in the event the taxpayer has more credit available than tax liability.  The Article clarifies that food product does not mean cannabis or cannabis products.  The Division of Taxation is required to create forms suitable for filing the credit.
 
 
 
The following new bills have been filed:
 
Senate Bill No. 14  Miller, Valverde, Kallman, Gu, DiMario, Lauria, AN ACT RELATING TO FOOD AND DRUGS -- DISPOSABLE FOOD SERVICE CONTAINERS (Prohibits a covered establishment from preparing, selling, processing or providing food or beverages in or on a disposable food service container that is composed in whole or in part of polystyrene foam.)
http://webserver.rilin.state.ri.us/BillText/BillText23/SenateText23/S0014.pdf
 
Senate Bill No. 16  Kallman, DiMario, Euer, Miller, LaMountain, Pearson, Valverde, Brito, Gu, Ujifusa, AN ACT RELATING TO HEALTH AND SAFETY -- COMPREHENSIVE PFAS BAN ACT OF 2023 (Prohibits use of PFAS in carpets, upholstered furniture, textile furnishings, apparel, cosmetics, juvenile products, cookware, firefighting foam and gives authority to the department of environmental management to regulate and the use.)
http://webserver.rilin.state.ri.us/BillText/BillText23/SenateText23/S0016.pdf
 
Senate Bill No. 19  Ciccone, AN ACT RELATING TO TAXATION -- PERSONAL INCOME TAX
http://webserver.rilin.state.ri.us/BillText/BillText23/SenateText23/S0019.pdf
 
Senate Bill No. 23  Miller, Goodwin, Pearson, Gallo, Euer, Ruggerio, DiMario, Valverde, Acosta, Zurier, AN ACT RELATING TO INSURANCE -- INDIVIDUAL HEALTH INSURANCE COVERAGE (Guarantees availability of coverage to eligible residents of state and does not limit or exclude coverage by imposing a preexisting condition exclusion.)
http://webserver.rilin.state.ri.us/BillText/BillText23/SenateText23/S0023.pdf
 
Senate Bill No. 36  Kallman, McKenney, Goodwin, Gallo, Burke, Ruggerio, LaMountain, AN ACT RELATING TO LABOR AND LABOR RELATIONS -- PAYMENT OF WAGES (Provides for contractor liability for debts owed to an employer or third party on the wage claimants behalf, incurred by a subcontractor.)
http://webserver.rilin.state.ri.us/BillText/BillText23/SenateText23/S0036.pdf
 
Senate Bill No. 37  Ciccone, AN ACT RELATING TO LABOR AND LABOR RELATIONS -- MINIMUM WAGES (Sets the minimum wage at fifteen dollars ($15.00) per hour commencing January 1, 2024, and at twenty dollars ($20.00) per hour commencing January 1, 2025.)
http://webserver.rilin.state.ri.us/BillText/BillText23/SenateText23/S0037.pdf
 
House Bill No. 5199  (Governor), AN ACT RELATING TO MAKING REVISED APPROPRIATIONS IN SUPPORT OF FY 2023
http://webserver.rilin.state.ri.us/BillText/BillText23/HouseText23/H5199.pdf
 
House Bill No. 5200  (Governor), AN ACT MAKING APPROPRIATIONS FOR THE SUPPORT OF THE STATE FOR THE FISCAL YEAR ENDING JUNE 30, 2024
http://webserver.rilin.state.ri.us/BillText/BillText23/HouseText23/H5200.pdf
 
House Bill No. 5159 McGaw, McNamara, Carson, Speakman, Ackerman, Potter, Donovan, Ajello, Kislak, Tanzi, AN ACT RELATING TO MOTOR AND OTHER VEHICLES -- PARKING FACILITIES AND PRIVILEGES (Requires installation of designated electric vehicle parking spaces, with charging capabilities, by certain business/ municipalities/housing developments in existing/new/expanded parking lots as of 1/1/24.)
http://webserver.rilin.state.ri.us/BillText/BillText23/HouseText23/H5159.pdf
 
House Bill No. 5175  McNamara, AN ACT RELATING TO INSURANCE -- ACCIDENT AND SICKNESS INSURANCE POLICIES -- ACCESSIBLE RESIDENCE MODIFICATIONS (Allows health insurance plans to provide coverage for accessible residence modifications determined to be medically necessary.)
http://webserver.rilin.state.ri.us/BillText/BillText23/HouseText23/H5175.pdf
 
House Bill No. 5181  Sanchez, Morales, Stewart, Giraldo, Vella-Wilkinson, Potter, Batista, Henries, Caldwell, Slater, AN ACT RELATING TO LABOR AND LABOR RELATIONS -- MINIMUM WAGES (Repeals the law that allowed employers to pay some of their minor employees and employees who are full time students and not attained the age of nineteen (19) less than minimum hourly wages, requiring them to be paid a minimum hourly wage.)
http://webserver.rilin.state.ri.us/BillText/BillText23/HouseText23/H5181.pdf
 
House Bill No. 5192  Solomon, O'Brien, Craven, Casimiro, Casey, Cardillo, Kennedy, Azzinaro, J. Brien, Lima, AN ACT RELATING TO TAXATION -- SALES AND USE TAXES--LIABILITY AND COMPUTATION (Reduces the sales tax rate to six percent (6%).)
http://webserver.rilin.state.ri.us/BillText/BillText23/HouseText23/H5192.pdf
 
House Bill No. 5209  Corvese, Vella-Wilkinson, Fellela, Solomon, AN ACT RELATING TO CRIMINAL PROCEDURE -- IDENTIFICATION AND APPREHENSION OF CRIMINALS -- REHABILITATION OF OFFENDERS (Prohibits any employer from denying any person employment based on a prior criminal conviction and prohibits state from disqualifying any person from any occupation for which a license is required based on a prior conviction.)
http://webserver.rilin.state.ri.us/BillText/BillText23/HouseText23/H5209.pdf
 

 
Governor to Deliver the State of the State Address
 
Governor Dan McKee will present his State of the State Address Tuesday.  The address will be televised and should include a brief outline of his budget priorities for FY2024 which begins in July.  The budget is also expected to include the Governor’s proposal for spending the remainder of the federal relief dollars provided to Rhode Island.  The State is expected to have a $610 million surplus for FY2024 only.  In addition, various outlets have reported Rhode Island will have an additional $100 million surplus as a result of unspent FY2023 funds.  While that money is available, it is important to note that restrictions are tied to those dollars based on federal government requirements.
 
Last week, state agencies appeared before the new Senate Finance Committee to provide a report detailing the income and expenditure process for the federal ARPA funds.  The process required agencies to put on paper a plan for the acceptance and expenditure of ARPA funds.  The Department of Administration then had to review each plan to ensure that the plan met all of the federal requirements so that the state would not risk having to reimburse the federal government at a later date.  Once approved, the money was then physically transferred to the agency or entity carrying out the program; and, finally, the agency/entity could begin to implement the program. 
 
Senate Names Chairs of Committees
 
Senate President Ruggerio named committee chairs and members last week. Leading the Senate Finance Committee is Senator Louis DiPalma who represents Senate District 12 – Little Compton, Middletown, Newport and Tiverton.  Senator Dawn Euer is chair of the Senate Judiciary Committee.  She represents District 13, Newport and Jamestown.  The Senate Environment Committee will be chaired by Senator Alana DiMario of District 36, North Kingstown, Narragansett and New Shoreham.  Senator Mark McKenney, of District 30, Warwick, is the chair of Senate Oversight.  Members of all of the committees can be found at:  https://www.rilegislature.gov/Pages/committees.aspx  The House is expected to name committee chairs and members following the adoption of the 2023-24 rules.
 
CHAMBER MEMBER ACTION REQUEST - Preparations for 2023 Session
 
The Chamber may be calling you, asking for your assistance as we prepare for this new session.  Please go to https://vote.sos.ri.gov and click on “Find Your Elected Officials.”  Enter zip code and address.  Find your “Representative District” legislator and your “Senate District” legislator (if you live in Rhode Island).  Email your name and the legislators’ names to _____________________.  The Chamber will be compiling a database for future grassroots efforts.  If you also know a legislator who lives in another district, please send that information to the Chamber as well and we will include it in the database.
 
Thank you for your help!
 
 
The following new bills have been filed:
 
House Bill No. 5036  Shanley, Cortvriend, Craven, AN ACT RELATING TO COMMERCIAL LAW--GENERAL REGULATORY PROVISIONS -- FILING OF ASSUMED NAME (Makes amendments necessary to use the term "trade name" rather than "assumed name", for purposes of the commercial law chapter on filing an assumed name/provides for the administration/regulation of the use of trade names with a 2 yr. renewal requirement.)
http://webserver.rilin.state.ri.us/BillText/BillText23/HouseText23/H5036.pdf
 
House Bill No. 5050  Edwards, Bennett, Kazarian, Shanley, Hull, Brien, Potter, Alzate, AN ACT RELATING TO PUBLIC PROPERTY AND WORKS -- LABOR AND PAYMENT OF DEBTS BY CONTRACTORS (Amends the definition of public works so that it would include any public works projects performed for any city or town or quasi-municipal entity and the state and any quasi-state entity.)
http://webserver.rilin.state.ri.us/BillText/BillText23/HouseText23/H5050.pdf
 
House Bill No. 5080   J Lombardi, Hull, Felix, AN ACT RELATING TO INSURANCE -- COVID-19 PANDEMIC INSURANCE RECOVERY ACT (Allows businesses that had an insurance policy in place for business interruption as of March 9, 2020 or thereafter to recover from their insurance companies for a COVID-19 business impact.)
http://webserver.rilin.state.ri.us/BillText/BillText23/HouseText23/H5080.pdf
 
House Bill No. 5091  Bennett, Carson, Speakman, Cortvriend, McEntee, Caldwell, Shanley, Donovan, Ajello, Handy, AN ACT RELATING TO HEALTH AND SAFETY -- EXTENDED PRODUCER RESPONSIBILITY FOR PACKAGING (Reduces equitable relationships between packaging producers and local governments and communities by establishing the Package Reduction and Recycling Program.)
http://webserver.rilin.state.ri.us/BillText/BillText23/HouseText23/H5091.pdf
​

​BENJAMIN LESCAULT PROMOTED TO ADMINISTRATOR OF GRACE BARKER HEALTH

Ushers in third generation of family leadership of Warren business

WARREN, R.I. (January 12, 2023): Grace Barker Health, a skilled nursing, short-term rehabilitation, assisted living and adult day health provider located in Warren, announces that Benjamin Lescault, MSHCA, LNHA, ALRA has been promoted to administrator. The announcement was made by Mark and Mary Beth Lescault, co-owners of Grace Barker Health.

At age 26, Mr. Lescault is one of the youngest, most experienced administrators in the United States to lead an elder care organization. He grew up in the family business and most recently served in the capacity of assistant administrator where he was responsible for overseeing staff operations; facilities management; monitoring inventory and distribution of products and services; assisting with business planning, budget development and marketing; and other operational duties. Previously, he served Grace Barker Health as environmental services assistant.

Prior to joining Grace Barker Health, he was administrative intern at a nursing home in Newport, R.I., a position he held while pursuing his bachelor of science degree in healthcare administration and management with a minor in business administration (2018, magna cum laude) at Salve Regina University (Newport). He earned his master of science degree in the field of healthcare administration at the University.

Mr. Lescault is certified by the Rhode Island Department of Health as a licensed nursing home administrator and assisted living residence administrator.

“Long-term care is in Ben’s career DNA as he literally grew up at Grace Barker, pulling bingo numbers and playing with his toys as a child in the hallways,” states Mary Beth Lescault, whose mother established Grace Barker Nursing Home in 1966. “Now as the third generation of our family’s leadership, he will continue the legacy of caring for and providing quality elder services throughout the East Bay community and beyond. We are so proud of his accomplishments.”

Benjamin is a resident of Swansea, Massachusetts.

# # #
Established in 1966 in historic Warren, Rhode Island, Grace Barker Health is a family- and locally-owned healthcare provider of skilled nursing, short-term rehabilitation, assisted living and adult day services for residents and families throughout the communities of Warren, Bristol, Barrington, Riverside, East Providence, Rumford, Portsmouth and Tiverton as well as nearby Swansea, Seekonk, Somerset and Rehoboth. The business is a member of the East Bay Chamber of Commerce and the Rhode Island Assisted Living Association. The Cove at Grace Barker offers skilled nursing and short-term rehabilitation and The Willows at Grace Barker offers assisted living and adult day health services. Grace Barker Health is located on Barker Avenue in Warren, RI  02885; phone:  401-245-9100; web:  www.GraceBarkerHealth.com.

For Immediate Release
Contact: Katie Blais Community Programming and Events Manager Mount Hope Farm Tel: 401-245-1745 Email: katie@mounthopefarm.org
** Calendar Listings ** Events at Mount Hope Farm January / February 2023

​Recurring - Saturdays, 10 am to 12:30 Join us at our ongoing Farmers Market in our historic Barn with vendors of produce, baked goods, fish, cocktails and ethnic foods, along with artisans and more. Attend 10 markets through end of March and enter our Winter Warrior program to win a selection of market products.

Daily Throughout January, 8 am to 6 pm The StoryWalk at Mount Hope Farm features the gorgeous children's book The Night Gardener this month. If the StoryWalk concept is new to you, think of it as a great family outing where you enjoy nature and get a bit of exercise while stopping at stations that feature pages from a book perfect for young readers.

Saturday, January 21, 10 am to 12:30 pm Recycle your old electronics when Indie Cycle visits the Farmers Market at Mount Hope Farm. Accepting computers, TVs, monitors, printers, small household appliances, air conditioners, and much more. (Note: fee required for some items.) Details: https://indiecycle.blogspot.com/ Sunday, January 22 and Sunday, February 19, 10 to 11 am Warm up on winter Sunday mornings with gentle vinyasa flow and guided breath yoga in our cozy Barn. All levels are welcome. Sessions led by certified instructor Valerie Griffiths. Farm Members: $12 per session. Nonmembers: $15 per session.

 Thursday, January 26, 6 to 7:30 pm The creative and knowledgeable staff of Bristol’s Thistle & Posy join us in the Barn with instruction on how to Build a Succulent Terrarium. All materials provided, so attendees leave with a very special plant arrangement to brighten up winter days. Two Gals Cocktails will have a cash bar and complimentary empanadas from The Perfect Empanada. Farm Members: $65. Nonmembers: $75. Details/registration: mounthopefarm.org/upcoming-events Saturday, January 28, 2 to 5 pm Two local physicians – Michael Fine, MD, and Edward Iannuccilli, MD – speak about expanding their medical careers to become published authors in a conversation entitled Doctoring Words. They share their stories of expanding their horizons to become published authors of memoirs, fiction and nonfiction, and offer tips on how you, too, can write your story and get it in print. Moderated by Dante Bellini, Jr., the director of the award-winning film Ken Burns: Here & There. Farm Members: $15. Nonmembers: $20.

 Monday, February 13, 6 to 8:30 pm Our classes in making a perfect charcuterie board are always sellouts and this session – Gal-entines Day DIY – not only teaches how to make a creative board (presented by The Perfect Parcel) but also includes the basics of hand lettering (presented by Perfectly Personalized). All materials provided. Cash bar by Two Gals Cocktails. Tickets: $120.

Tuesday, February 14, 6 to 7:30 pm Our Valentine’s Day Date Night program offers couples a fun new way to celebrate the holiday. Crystal from The Perfect Parcel leads a lively session on making a creative – and delicious – Valentine’s Day themed charcuterie board. All materials provided. Cash bar by Two Gals Cocktails. Tickets: $85. Details/registration: mounthopefarm.org/upcoming-events About Mount Hope Farm: Mount Hope Farm is a 127-acre national historic site located in Bristol, Rhode Island. The property is privately owned and governed by The Mount Hope Trust in Bristol and is on the national register of historic placed since 1976. The Farm is a non-profit whose mission is to preserve and protect the integrity of its natural assets and its historical structures.

​The 2023 Session Begins
 
Welcome to the 2023 Subscription to Under the Dome.  Not only is it the beginning of a new session, but also the beginning of a new legislative term.  New legislators were sworn in last week, and we await the official naming of House and Senate Committee members in addition to committee chairs. 
 
Key dates for 2023 include the following:
 
Last day for Senate public bill introduction – To Be Announced (usually prior to Winter recess)
Last day for House public bill introduction – To Be Announced (usually prior to Winter recess)
Winter Recess – February 20-24, 2023
Spring Recess – April 10-14, 2023
 
 
Governor, Speaker Shekarchi and Senate President Ruggerio Announce Priorities
 
Last Tuesday, Governor Dan McKee was sworn in as Governor, and both Speaker K. Joseph Shekarchi and Senate President Dominick Ruggerio were re-elected to lead their legislative bodies.  Below is a list of priorities each one highlighted in their inaugural/acceptance speeches.
 
Governor McKee’s Priorities: (1) Raising incomes for all Rhode Islanders – making sure everyone has the skills to get good-paying jobs, (2) Raising education outcomes for children to reach Massachusetts levels by 2030, and (3) create a healthier Rhode Island where by reducing chronic illness and improving health outcomes.
 
Speaker Shekarchi’s Priorities: (1) Review and address barriers to housing production in Rhode Island, (2) Make Rhode Island a leader in the bioscience field, and (3) Move away from fossil fuels.
 
Senate President Ruggerio’s Priorities: (1) Ensure every student receives a quality education – overhaul the school funding formula as well as fund a pre-k program for every child, (2) Ensure every Rhode Islander can access health care, especially mental health care, and (3) Ensure our children inherit a cleaner more resilient environment.
 
Division of Taxation Proposes Electronic Transfer Rule
 
The Division of Taxation released a proposed regulation based on legislation that was passed in 2022.  The legislation requires “larger business registrants” to file taxes through the use of an electronic transfer system which the regulation calls the “Modernized Electronic Filing (MEF) system, administered by the Internal Revenue Service, streamline sales tax return,
and bulk electronic filings by third party providers.”  It also calls for payment of taxes owed through the Division of Taxation’s on-line tax-payer portal, payments through MEF, single or bulk electronic payments by third party providers, payments made by EFT, and payments
through an authorized credit card processor. 
 
The Regulation defines a "Larger business registrant" as a person who:
 
1. Operates as a business whose combined annual liability for all taxes administered by the Division of Taxation for the entity is or exceeds five thousand dollars ($5,000.00); or
2. Operated as a business whose annual gross income is over one hundred thousand dollars ($100,000.00) for the entity.
 
The regulation specifically states that “Individuals and trusts filing personal or fiduciary income tax returns are not larger business registrants for the purposes of R.I. Gen. Laws § 44-1-31.2.”
 
This requirement is set to become effective January 1, 2023; however, the public comment period for the proposed regulation ends January 30, 2023.  To read the proposed regulation, or to submit comments, go to:  https://rules.sos.ri.gov/promulgations/part/280-20-30-1
 
 
 
 
CHAMBER MEMBER ACTION REQUEST - Preparations for 2023 Session
 
Throughout the legislative session, the Chamber may be calling on you, asking for your assistance conveying our message on legislation to legislators.  Please go to https://vote.sos.ri.gov and click on “Find Your Elected Officials.”  Enter zip code and address.  Find your “Representative District” legislator and your “Senate District” legislator (if you live in Rhode Island).  Email your name and the legislators name to _____________________.  The Chamber will be compiling a database for future grassroots efforts.  If you also know a legislator who lives in another district, please send that information to the Chamber as well and we will include it in the database.
 
Thank you for your help!
 
 
The following new bills have been filed:
 
House Bill No. 5012  BY  Bennett, Baginski, McGaw, Fenton-Fung, Corvese, Solomon, AN ACT RELATING TO INSURANCE -- ACCIDENT AND SICKNESS INSURANCE POLICIES -- PHYSICAL THERAPY COPAY (Limits copays, coinsurance or office deductibles for services of a physical therapist to the amount authorized for the services of a primary care physician or osteopath.) http://webserver.rilin.state.ri.us/BillText/BillText23/HouseText23/H5012.pdf
 
House Bill No. 5015  BY  Morales, Shallcross Smith, Speakman, Bennett, Cruz, McEntee, Henries, Vella-Wilkinson, Stewart, Tanzi, AN ACT RELATING TO LABOR AND LABOR RELATIONS -- MINIMUM WAGES (Repeals the law that prevented municipalities from establishing their own minimum wage for their employees.)  http://webserver.rilin.state.ri.us/BillText/BillText23/HouseText23/H5015.pdf