News & Media
Legislative Updates: Advocacy in Action, General Assembly Updates, Action Alerts
In the News: Press Releases, Chamber in the News
Economic Development: Economic Indicator Reports, Economic Studies
Legislative Updates Last Week at the State House Friday night, May 29th, the House Finance Committee passed its version of the State’s FY2027 budget. The $15.2 billion plan raises additional revenue, increases expenditures in a variety of categories and asks the voters for approval to bond $600 million for projects. This represents a 6.2%…
Read MoreIN THE NEWS Erin Donovan-Boyle and Monika Zuluaga Guest columnists Providence Journal May 27, 2026, 6:08 a.m. ET KEY POINTS Rhode Island voters may decide on a $50 million bond to fund career and technical education (CTE) programs. CTE enrollment has nearly quadrupled in eight years, with about half of the state’s high school students…
Read MoreLegislative Updates  Tuesday, May 26th   House Vote on Building Benchmarking The House of Representatives is scheduled to vote on a building benchmarking bill, H.7183, which creates an energy reporting requirement for residential, commercial and industrial buildings with twenty-five thousand gross square feet or more. As written, the following information must be…
Read Morein the news By Newport This Week Staff on May 21, 2026 Pilot Flex On Demand service available through June 30. More Aquidneck Island residents can now request a ride on public transit using a smartphone app in what the Rhode Island Public Transit Authority is calling “Flex on Demand.” The pilot program, which will run…
Read MoreIn the news By Community Submission on May 21, 2026 NEWPORT THIS WEEK There are moments in the life of a community when progress does not arrive through one dramatic announcement or ribbon cutting. It comes instead through partnerÂships and working together as one community. Last week on Aquidneck Island felt like one of those moments.…
Read MoreLegislative Updates Advocacy in Action May 18, 2026  This Week at the State House  Tuesday, May 19th    The House Committee on Environment & Natural Resources is meeting at the Rise (approximately 4:45pm) to vote on a building benchmarking bill and to hear testimony related to black takeout containers. …
Read Morein the news Newport Daily News Thu, May 7, 2026 at 5:02 AM EDT RIPTA expands Flex On Demand service to northern Aquidneck Island Rhode Island Public Transit Authority announced the expansion of Flex On Demand service within the 231 Flex Zone to northern Aquidneck Island. The expansion strengthens access to jobs and enhances transportation options for residents, commuters and visitors…
Read MoreIn the News By Danielle Rose on May 08, 2026 NEWPORT THIS WEEK Rhode Island Commerce Corporation will be opening a satellite office at Innovate Newport, expanding access to services to businesses in Greater Newport. A press conference and ribbon cutting are scheduled for Monday, May 11th at 10 am to officially launch the new office.…
Read MoreLegislative Updates Advocacy in Action May 11, 2026  Speaker Shekarchi Hands Gavel to Speaker Blazejewski  Thursday May 7th, Speaker Joe Shekarchi resigned his position of Speaker as he submitted his application for Rhode Island Supreme Court Justice. Speaker Shekarchi served as Speaker of the House for six years, being known for his…
Read MoreLegislative Updates By Newport This Week Staff on April 30, 2026 By Zane Wolfang Rhode Island House Speaker Joseph Shekarchi visited Newport on April 27 as the keynote speaker at a panel discussion about the need to develop more housing on Aquidneck Island. Shekarchi was joined by MiddleÂtown Town Administrator Shawn Brown, Raytheon government relations and…
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