Tag Archives for Greg Pare

RI’s New Budget Considered a Win for Older Adults

Published in RINewstoday on June 15, 2026

As the 2026 legislative session wraps up, lawmakers approved a $15.2 billion state budget for Fiscal Year 2027. The budget blueprint (H 7127 Aaa) aims to provide economic relief, improve education and health care, and advance government reforms without raising broad-based taxes or fees.

According to House Communications Director Larry Berman, the House floor debate began at 3:35 p.m. on Friday, June 5, and lasted 3 hours and 45 minutes.  House lawmakers offered 16 amendments, and 10 were approved (none of these targeted aging programs and services). At 7:20 p.m., the budget passed on a vote of 65 to 10, with 64 Democrats and one independent voting in favor, while all 10 Republicans opposed it.

Greg Pare, Senate Communications Director notes: “On Tuesday, June 9, 2026, the upper chamber debated the House proposal for two hours and 17 minutes, beginning at 4:20 p.m. and concluding at 6:37 p.m. Senators considered 12 amendments, but none were approved. The Fiscal Year 2027 budget passed 32-6 without changes. Senators Samuel W. Bell (D-Dist. 5, Providence) and Leonidas “Lou” Raptakis (D-Dist. 33, East Greenwich and West Greenwich) joined the four Republican Senators in opposing passage of the budget proposal.”

Three days later, Gov. Dan McKee signed the 393-page Rhode Island General Assembly Fiscal year 2027 budget proposal at 10:30 a.m. at Children’s Friend in Providence.

While much of the attention surrounding the Fiscal Year 2027 budget focused on programs and services, lawmakers also approved several significant policy changes and revenue measures. Chief among them is a new tax on annual income exceeding $1 million. The phased-in surtax is expected to generate approximately $142 million annually when fully implemented, providing additional revenue to help support state services and offset potential reductions in federal funding.

The state’s budget also creates an independent Office of Inspector General to strengthen government accountability and oversight. In addition, the Rhode Island General Assembly approved increased funding for hospitals, behavioral health and home-care providers, child welfare programs, public transit, and higher education, while authorizing an audit of the Rhode Island Department of Transportation.

Investing in Rhode Island’s Aging Programs and Services

Although these initiatives will affect Rhode Islanders across all age groups, the budget also contains provisions that directly impact older adults, caregivers, and aging-service providers throughout the Ocean State.

The Fiscal Year 2027 budget expands eligibility for exempting Social Security income from state taxation by removing the age threshold. Under current law, taxpayers who have reached full Social Security retirement age (67 or older) and have incomes below $107,000 for individuals and $133,750 for joint filers are exempt from paying state income tax on their Social Security benefits. With the passage of the budget, the age requirement has been eliminated.

The state budget also increases funding by $200,000, bringing total funding for senior services grants to $1.8 million.

Meals on Wheels, which provides nutrition services to older adults, was also on lawmakers’ radar. The budget increases funding for the program by $50,000, bringing total state support to $730,000.

The Rhode Island General Assembly’s approved budget allocates $4.1 million to fund the “Eat Well, Be Well” program for Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) recipients. This funding will help older Rhode Islanders struggling with the high cost of groceries.

Under the program, eligible SNAP households will receive an incentive of 50 cents for every dollar spent on fruits and vegetables, with the benefit loaded onto their electronic benefits transfer (EBT) cards, up to a maximum amount to be determined by the Rhode Island Department of Human Services.

The budget also increases funding for the Rhode Island Community Food Bank by $1 million, bringing total state support to $2.95 million to address food insecurity among families, including older adults.

In response to a significant increase in complaints regarding care, the budget provides additional funding to the state’s Office of Healthy Aging to support the Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program, administered by the Alliance for Better Long-Term Care.

The budget allocates funding for full cost-of-living increases in nursing home reimbursement rates, with 80 percent of the increase directed toward direct-care staff compensation. Gov. McKee’s proposed budget had limited the increase to 2.5 percent.

As for the state’s nursing facility minimum staffing requirements, the budget includes $200,000 to implement the Nursing Home Staffing and Quality Care Act. The provision requires the Rhode Island Department of Health to enforce staffing requirements at all nursing homes. The funding will support contracted services to collect and analyze data and calculate penalties for noncompliant facilities.

The state budget also includes $3.1 million to begin a phased opening of new beds at the Rhode Island Veterans Home. The funding is expected to increase capacity by 16 beds in each of the next two years, bringing the facility to its maximum capacity of 192 residents.

Assisted living facilities will see increased Medicaid reimbursement rates for caring for residents with dementia and those with higher personal-care needs. Advocates say the increase will help facilities accept and care for these residents while reducing premature nursing home placements.

The Fiscal Year 2027 budget also doubles the amount of assets that Medicaid home-care recipients may retain, helping older adults cope with rising housing costs and other basic needs.

Several provisions within the budget are intended to address the growing shortage of primary care providers, including assisting providers with medical school costs and seed funding for a new medical school at the University of Rhode Island (both of which were components of the Senate’s package of priority health care bills).

In addition, the budget fully funds rate increases for home- and community-based services recommended by an Office of Health Insurance study. The governor’s budget proposal had funded only half of the recommended increases. SACRI says the additional funding should improve worker compensation and help prevent waiting lists for services.

A nursing home behavioral health per diem add-on included in the budget provides additional resources for facilities caring for residents with both nursing and behavioral health needs, helping to avoid unnecessary transfers to acute-care settings.

Finally, an additional $13.5 million was included in the Fiscal Year 2027 budget to help the Rhode Island Public Transit Authority maintain services and avoid service reductions.

The Aftermath: Lawmakers and Aging Groups Debate Budget Proposals’ Impact

“I am proud of this budget, which addresses the concerns and struggles of everyday Rhode Islanders, including our older residents, who need access to health care, who need to be able to pay their bills, and who need to know that their government is honest and effective,” said Christopher R. Blazejewski.  “This budget is the result of months of listening, prioritizing, and identifying ways to fix what isn’t working, he stated.

“It provides relief today while being fiscally responsible and putting our state in a better position in the years to come,” notes Blazejewski.

“This budget reflects many of the Senate’s priorities, including funding health care initiatives and supporting seniors and Rhode Islanders in need,” said Senate President Valarie J. Lawson (D-Dist. 14, East Providence). “This is a responsible, balanced budget that provides relief for Rhode Islanders, including our older residents, while investing in and strengthening programs that support seniors, she says, noting that it complements other legislation the Senate passed this year to support older adults. She sponsored legislation to protect against the growing national threat of deed theft, a scam by which thieves defraud seniors of their real estate.

“These budget decisions reflect real progress for Rhode Islanders who rely on long-term services and community supports,” said Executive Director Carol Anne Costa. “We are encouraged to see the state make investments that strengthen care, support the workforce, and help older adults remain in the settings that best meet their needs.”

According to Costa, “SACRI fully intends to return in the next session to pursue the Medicare Saving Program’s asset test removal, the creation of the Office of the Elder Advocate, and secure a tax credit for caregivers. “These efforts do not come with huge price tags and in fact, infuse money back into the RI economy,” says Costa.

Costa emphasizes that Rhode Island’s aging population and adults with disabilities deserve nothing less, as the organization continues to be the voice for progress on their behalf.

“As the cost of food continues to skyrocket, our seniors, those with long-term care, and other Rhode Islanders living on a fixed income are being further squeezed. This budget helps ensure they can still get the healthy meals they need through targeted investments in SNAP and organizations like Meals on Wheels and the RI Community Food Bank. This budget brings us closer to ensuring food security for all Rhode Islanders,” says Lt. Gov. Sabrina Mattos, says  Lt. Gov. Sabina Matos, chair of the state’s Long-Term Care Coordinating Council.

“We appreciate the legislature’s commitment to strengthening Rhode Island’s long-term services and supports through this year’s budget,” says Mag Morelli, president of LeadingAge Connecticut & Rhode Island. “The investments in assisted living, community-based services, and nursing home care recognize the growing needs of older adults.

By supporting Medicaid reimbursement rates that more closely reflect the cost of care, this budget helps providers deliver essential services while promoting stability, access, and choice for aging Rhode Islanders.”

Hopes Dashed: Budget Fails Rhode Island’s Caregivers

Meredith L. Sheehan, Director of Public Policy, Alzheimer’s Association, Rhode Island Chapter: “More than 22,000 Rhode Islanders live with Alzheimer’s disease, and 37,000 serve as caregivers. We applaud budget investments in senior centers, the Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program, and assisted living providers, but are disappointed funding was not included for a Dementia Services Coordinator, a dedicated position needed to develop a coordinated statewide response to dementia.”

“I am encouraged by the 2027 budget’s funding that strengthens our support for people with Alzheimer’s disease and related dementia (ADRD) and their caregivers, including increased Medicaid reimbursement for specialized assisted living and for nursing home care,” says Chris Gadbois, DNP, RN, chair of RI’s Council on ADRD.

“People’s ability to remain safely in their homes will be supported by increased rates for home and community-based services and an increase in the asset limits,” notes Gadbois.

However, like Sheehan, Gadbois expressed disappointment that funding for a state Dementia Service Coordinator within the Rhode Island Department of Health was not advanced in the past budget proposal, adding, “We will continue to collaborate with state leadership for this critical position, as well as reintroduce legislation to ensure healthcare providers’ and facilities’ competency in caring for individuals with dementia.”

“The Office of Healthy Aging appreciates Governor McKee’s continued commitment to older Rhode Islanders and to the systems of support that help people age with dignity, connection, and independence. We remain focused on working with state and community partners to strengthen access to services and supports for older adults, caregivers, and families across Rhode Island,” says Maria E. Cimini, MSW, Director, RI Office of Healthy Aging.

Lori Light, the state’s long-term care ombudsman, welcomes FY 2027 budget investments in aging-in-place programs. “It strengthens our advocacy for nursing home and assisted living residents,” Light said. She urges continued funding to expand ombudsman services, allowing the agency to handle increasingly complex complaints and ensure all residents receive timely support.

To view all provisions of  H 7127Aaa, the state’s enacted 2027 Fiscal Year Budget proposal, go HERE – https://webserver.rilegislature.gov/BillText26/HouseText26/H7127Aaa.pdf

House Finance Committee’s FY 26 Budget boosts support for older Rhode Islanders

Published in RiNewsToday on June 16, 2025

Last Wednesday evening, the House Finance Committee voted 11–3 to approve a balanced $14.33 billion budget for fiscal year 2026—approximately $500 million less than the current year’s budget.

Lawmakers were tasked with closing a $250 million deficit without resorting to broad tax hikes or cuts to essential services. Faced with a slowing state economy and looming federal funding reductions, they focused squarely on bridging the budget gap while improving access to health care, increasing reimbursement rates for primary care providers, nursing homes, and hospitals, and addressing the state’s housing crisis.

The budget proposal also boosts funding for housing and homelessness services, supports municipalities through increased revenue sharing, expands Rhode Island Public Transit Authority (a.k.a. RIPTA) funding, invests in education, imposes new EV registration fees, restores highway tolls, and extends childcare subsidies while setting distinct rates for toddlers and infants.

“Despite the very significant challenges we face in this fiscal year, this budget reflects our commitment to our priorities: not only protecting, but strengthening the vital Medicaid programs that provide health and safety to Rhode Island’s seniors, children, individuals with disabilities, and working families; supporting our health care system, particularly the hard-working primary care providers and frontline caregivers; and addressing our housing crisis,” said House Speaker K. Joseph Shekarchi (D-Dist. 23, Warwick), in a statement announcing the budget’s passage by the House Finance Committee.

Vote Set

According to House Communications Director Larry Berman, the 435-page budget proposal (2025-H 5076A) now moves to the full House for a vote scheduled for Tuesday, June 17, at 3:30 p.m. If passed, the budget will be sent to the Senate, where action is expected by the end of next week as the legislative session concludes.

If the Senate makes no changes, the bill will go directly to Governor Dan McKee for his signature. However, if revisions are made, it must return to the House for final approval before being sent to the Governor.

Berman and his Senate counterpart, Greg Paré, Director of Senate Communications, do not anticipate any major issues—but note that nothing is ever guaranteed.

Funding Aging Programs and Services

The Senior Agenda Coalition of Rhode Island (SACRI) and its allied aging advocacy groups didn’t get everything they lobbied for —but they made progress, according to SACRI Executive Director Carol Anne Costa, who praised the proposal as a “moral budget.”

“This budget represents a moral compass pointing toward a healthier, more equitable Rhode Island,” said Costa, crediting the group’s advocacy efforts, particularly those of SACRI Policy Advisor Maureen Maigret.

Costa highlighted new language in Article 8 that expands the Medicare Savings Programs, enhancing healthcare access for vulnerable older adults and individuals with disabilities. The House Finance Committee recommended adding $7.1 million—$700,000 of that from general revenues—for this critical expansion.

Unlike a narrower 2024 Assembly proposal that faced implementation barriers, the FY 2026 budget expands eligibility to 125% of the federal poverty level for the Qualified Medicare Beneficiary (QMB) group and up to 168% for the Qualified Individuals (QI) group.

“This crucial change is estimated to assist thousands of Medicare enrollees, helping them cover burdensome co-payments and deductibles, and potentially saving them at least the $185 monthly Part B premium—which can now go toward food and other essentials. For many, this means the difference between delaying care and receiving timely treatment,” Costa noted.

Strengthening Primary Care Access

“The state’s primary care system is at a crisis point. We’ve heard that our reimbursement rates are low, and that’s the main cause of the health care shortage. We wanted to address that immediately,” said Speaker Shekarchi.

SACRI applauded the Speaker’s efforts to address both the shortage of primary care physicians and the funding shortfall for direct-care staff in nursing homes. “This budget recognizes the critical importance of primary care—especially for older adults and those managing chronic conditions—and addresses provider rate increases through several key initiatives,” said Costa.

The proposal includes over $40 million—$15 million from the state and the rest from federal funds—to increase Medicaid reimbursement rates for primary care providers, currently lower than in neighboring states.

Additionally, the budget proposes a new healthcare assessment similar to the state’s immunization program assessments. This broad-based assessment, applied per member per month to all covered lives (including self-insured plans), is expected to raise $30 million annually to support primary care and related services. The estimated state cost is $1.4 million, including $800,000 in general revenues.

The committee also recommended $26.4 million ($8.3 million in general revenue) to raise Medicaid primary care rates to 100% of Medicare rates beginning Oct. 1, 2025. This significant increase aims to incentivize providers to serve more Medicaid patients and improve access to foundational care.

Furthermore, the Office of the Health Insurance Commissioner (OHIC) must submit a one-time report by September 2026 to recommend further adjustments to primary care reimbursement rates.

“To address fiscal challenges facing our community health centers, the budget also includes $10.5 million—$4 million of that from general revenues,” Costa added.

Attacking Persistent Staffing Issues in Rhode Island’s Nursing Homes

SACRI, the Rhode Island Health Care Association (RIHCA), SEIU 1199NE, and the state’s Long-Term Care Ombudsman praised the House Finance Committee’s decision to allocate funds aimed at addressing persistent staffing issues in Rhode Island’s 73 nursing homes. The committee approved a $12 million funding package—including $5 million from general revenues—for a base rate staffing adjustment to improve compensation, wages, benefits, and employer costs for direct-care staff. These investments are designed to enhance the quality of resident care and improve workforce stability.

According to John E. Gage, President and CEO of RIHCA, following months of negotiations, RIHCA and SEIU 1199NE reached a compromise to amend the 2021 nursing home staffing law. The revised agreement establishes a more achievable staffing target of 3.58 hours of care per resident per day and adjusts penalties to support facilities in reaching consistent compliance. It also introduces flexibility for high-performing facilities and those with site-specific challenges. “The state budget passed by the House Finance Committee invests $5 million, which unlocks an additional $7 million in federal matching funds,” noted Gage.

“On behalf of RIHCA and its members, we are pleased that the Speaker and House Finance Committee members recognized the dire conditions facing the industry,” Gage added. “We are encouraged that their actions will help stabilize Rhode Island’s nursing facilities and ensure access to high-quality care and services.”

Rhode Island currently ranks second in the nation for “Immediate Jeopardy” violations—the most serious federal nursing home deficiencies. Both SEIU 1199NE and RIHCA believe the budget provisions will help reverse this alarming trend.

SEIU 1199NE’s Patrick Quinn and SACRI’s Costa praised the inclusion of the $12 million investment in the FY 2026 budget, viewing it as a crucial step in helping nursing homes recruit and retain essential staff.

Lori Light, Rhode Island’s State Long-Term Care Ombudsman, also commended House lawmakers for allocating new funding to improve pay and staffing levels—critical measures for enhancing care quality and creating safer, more stable environments for vulnerable residents. “These are issues our office has consistently advocated for, and we’re encouraged to see real movement in the right direction,” she said.

Finally, the budget proposal also includes an increase of $1.86 million for the Office of Healthy Aging, raising its funding from $37,091,920 to $38,948,518. This includes:

  • A $200,000 boost for Senior Services Support (from $1.4 million to $1.6 million)
  • A $50,000 increase for Meals on Wheels (from $630,000 to $680,000)
  • $325,000 to provide elder services, including respite care, through the Diocese of Providence
  • $40,000 to fund ombudsman services provided by the Alliance for Long Term Care

The Missing Millionaire’s Tax

SACRI and progressive advocacy groups had hoped the budget would include HB 5473, introduced by Rep. Karen Alzate (D-Dist. 60, Pawtucket, Central Falls) on Feb. 12, 2025 and S329 introduced on by Sen. Melissa Murray (D-Dist. 24, Woonsocket, North Smithfield, on February 21, 2025. The bill proposed a 3% surtax on taxable income above $625,000—on top of the existing 5.99% rate—targeting the top 1% of Rhode Island filers. The tax was projected to raise roughly $190 million annually and impact only 5,700 of the state’s 500,000 taxpayers.

But the surtax didn’t make it into the final budget.

Asked why, Speaker Shekarchi explained: “There is still a great deal of uncertainty at the federal level. We don’t know what changes are going to be made in the federal tax code. We felt comfortable enough to move forward with the non-owner-occupied property tax on homes valued at over $1 million, and we will revisit the millionaire’s tax when we have more clarity from Washington.”

While Costa wished the surtax had been included to fund additional initiatives, she said, “The bottom line is the budget is balanced and people-focused. In particular, older adult concerns were seriously considered.” As the session winds down, SACRI will continue to monitor remaining legislative proposals that affect Rhode Island’s older residents.

Dueling Social Security Proposals Heard by Senate Finance Committee

Published in RINewsToday on March 6, 2023

Almost eight years ago, Rhode Island lawmakers reduced the tax burden on older Rhode Islanders by tweaking the state’s tax on Social Security in the fiscal year 2016 budget. The exemption to Social Security taxation as it currently stands in statute was put in place in 2015, as part of the FY 2016 budget.

According to Greg Pare, Rhode Island’s Senate Director of Communications, the Assembly expanded a budget proposal by then Governor Gina Raimondo to make Social Security benefits exempt from state taxes for many. “The original proposal would have made them exempt for single filers with federal adjusted gross incomes of up to $50,000 and joint filers up to $60,000,” noted Pare, but lawmakers raised the limit to $80,000 for single and $100,000 for joint filers.

During this current legislative session – 2023 – there are two legislative proposals that, if passed, would decrease the state taxes on Social Security income for up to 175,840 retirees.

Helping Social Security retirees

During the current legislative session, Senator Elaine Morgan (R-Dist. 34, Charleston, Exeter, Hopkinton, Richmond, West Greenwich) introduced SB 84 to completely eliminate the state tax on Social Security income in Rhode Island. The bipartisan legislative proposal specifies for tax years beginning on or after January 1, 2024, an individual may subtract from federal adjusted gross income all Social Security income.

Morgan’s SB 84 has attracted the support of GOP Senate colleagues, along with Democratic Senators on the other side of the aisle.  The senior-friendly, bipartisan legislative proposal sponsors are: Sens. Anthony Phillip Deluca (R-Dist. 29, Warwick), Minority Leader Jessica de la Cruz (R-Dist. 23, Burrillville, Glocester, North Smithfield), Gordon Rogers (R-Dist. 21, Coventry, Foster, Scituate, West Greenwich), Thomas Paolino (R-Dist. 17, Lincoln, North Providence, North Smithfield), Leonidas P. Raptakis (D-Dist. 33, Coventry, West Greenwich), John Burke (D-Dist. 9, West Warwick), Mark  McKenny (D-Dist. 30, Warwick), Frank  Lombardi (D-Dist. 26, Cranston) and Frank Ciccone, III (D- Dist. 7, Providence, Johnston).

“Eliminating state income tax on Social Security benefits will be akin to giving Rhode Island retirees a raise. We must make Rhode Island a better place for retirees and not taxing Social Security income is a large step in that direction. It will help stem the flow of retirees leaving Rhode Island and taking their spending power with them.” says Morgan who made an argument in support of the legislation at the Senate Finance Committee last week, when it was scheduled for consideration, and held for further study.  A fiscal note has been requested, but has not been released.

Time to give older Rhode Islanders tax relief

“Eliminating the tax on Social Security benefits at the state level for seniors who have worked for decades, paying taxes on their hard-earned income, and contributing to Social Security with post-tax dollars, would boost the retirement income for much of Rhode Island’s vulnerable elderly population,” reasoned Morgan. “Social Security is part of the social safety net. It was never meant to fill state coffers; it was meant to carry people throughout their retirement years. It’s time to give our growing older population some tax relief by eliminating the income threshold, beginning with the 2024 tax year,” she said, noting that her legislation will help ensure that even more middle-class retirees and their families can keep more of their hard-earned benefits.

Sen. Walter Felag’s (D-Dist. 10, Bristol, Tiverton, Warren) legislative proposal, SB 246, cosponsored by Sens. Lou DiPalma (D-Dist. 12,  Little Compton, Middletown, Newport, Tiverton), Frank Lombardi (D-Dist. 26, Cranston), V. Susan Sosnowski, (D-Dist. 37, South Kingston) and Frank Ciccone, III (D-Dist. 7, Providence, Johnston), was also heard at the Senate Finance Committee, along with Morgan’s Social Security legislation.  This legislative proposal would not eliminate the state’s Social Security tax but increase income thresholds to $110,000 for single, and $140,000 for joint, filers. Like Morgan’s legislative proposal, the Committee recommended that Felag’s measure be held for further study. No fiscal note has been released yet on this legislative proposal.

With the cost of goods and necessary services increasing, Felag says that it was  crucial to help Social Security beneficiaries by throwing SB 248 into the legislative hopper. “By raising the tax exemption level, we can lessen the financial stress that many retirees on Social Security feel on a daily basis, keeping more of their hard-earned money in their pockets and bank accounts,” he says.

Sen. DiPalma, who serves as Chairman of the Senate Finance Committee, reported that a couple of proposals have been submitted and heard in the Senate Finance Committee.  “Both sponsors and witnesses made the case for why we need to continue to assist our seniors, especially during these inflationary and soon to be “slow-cessionary” periods. These proposals must and will be evaluated in the context of the overall budgetary review process, which is currently ongoing,” he says.

When asked if she ever considered becoming a cosponsor of Felag’s legislative proposal, Minority Leader Jessica de la Cruz stated, “I would have loved to, but I was unaware of his bill.”

“It’s not too late to bring Democratic and Republican Senators together to hammer out a compromise legislative proposal,” says de la Cruz, noting she will be discussing this possibility with Senate President Dominick Ruggerio (D-Dist.4, North Providence, Providence). 

Although I do not see eye to eye with my Democratic colleagues 100% of the time, we find common ground on many other issues,” says de la Cruz. ” I believe there would be bipartisan support for crafting a compromise piece of legislation if it ensured tax relief to retirees on Social Security.

Calls for passage of Social Security proposals

AARP State Director Catherine Taylor, representing over 128,000 members in Rhode Island, called for passage of SB 84 and SB 246. “They would protect the Social Security benefits of older Rhode Islanders,” helping them keep the benefits they have earned over a lifetime of hard work,” she said.

“Assuring that our members are financially secure in retirement is a key component of our advocacy,” stated Taylor, noting that Rhode Island is one of only 11 states that still tax hard-earned Social Security benefits. “State taxes on Social Security benefits in Rhode Island undermines the purpose of Social Security, which was designed to lift seniors out of poverty- not to fund state government,” she says.

“Now, when so many Americans are struggling to afford health care and other basic needs, the promise of Social Security is even more important,” adds Taylor.  

“Whether it is raising the income threshold under existing law, or a complete exemption of Social Security benefits from taxation, like 30 other states around the country, AARP supports all efforts to keep hard-earned money in the pockets of older Rhode Islanders,” Taylor told Senate Finance Committee members.

A Call to Action

According to the Healthy Aging 2020 report, Rhode Island’s older population is growing dramatically. Today, more than 240,000 Rhode Island residents are age 60 or older -  that’s 23% of the population. By 2040 that figure is expected to rise to almost 265,000.  In addition, the state has one of the highest proportions of adults aged 85 and older, of any state in the nation, ranking first in New England.

With the expected graying of the Ocean State’s population, now is the time for Rhode Island lawmakers to reduce the financial stress of Rhode Islanders who struggle to pay their bills and want to remain independent at home in the community.   

Although both Social Security legislative proposals have been held for further study, don’t get concerned, says Pare, the Senate’s Communication Director. “It is common to hold bills for further study on a first hearing, and that is almost always the case for bills with a fiscal impact, which would have to be incorporated into the budget bill when it is considered later in the legislative session,” he says. 

“There is an obvious bi-partisan appetite to provide tax relief to our growing aging population who have been greatly impacted during this pandemic. This is a significant opportunity for Senate Finance Chair Lou DiPalma to craft a compromise bill that will advance Rhode Island as an “age-friendly” state, says  Vincent Marzullo, who served 31 years as a career federal civil rights & social justice administrator at the National Service Agency.  Now is the time for both sides of the aisle to come together for a needed public action,” he says.

For details about 9 States With No State Income Tax, go to https://www.aarp.org/money/taxes/info-2020/states-without-an-income-tax.html

For details about 4 States That May Cut Taxes on Social Security Income, go to https://www.aarp.org/retirement/social-security/info-2023/cut-taxes-social-security-benefits.html