Providing Rhode Islanders with research, analysis, and advocacy on transformational and equitable fiscal and policy changes to advance racial and economic justice.
Many Rhode Islanders’ wages are too low to meet basic living costs such as housing, food, healthcare, and child care. For 25 years, EPI has documented how hard it is for many people to make ends meet in our organization’s signature research report, titled the Rhode Island Standard of Need. The 25th anniversary edition of this report delves into topics like economic security (or insecurity, as the case may be), household earnings, work support programs, and many others. For the first time, the Rhode Island Standard of Need report also explores the genuine geographical differences in the cost of a “basic needs” budget county by county. Through it and other research, EPI aims to give policymakers and the public objective information with which to pursue and achieve a shared prosperity.
EPI Director of Research & Fiscal Policy Alan Krinsky goes deep into the fiscal year 2026 budget numbers...and suggests that an austerity mindset is exactly what RI *doesn't* need.
Money awarded to 80K working Rhode islanders by increasing the EITC
RI workers with raised incomes by increasing the minimum wage
RI workers provided with access to earned sick time to care for themselves and loved ones
RI citizens with protected medicaid coverage and access to senior care
The Economic Progress Institute (EPI) is a leader in making important gains for tens of thousands of Rhode Islanders. With your support, we are putting more Rhode Islanders on a path to economic progress.
Together, we can advance policy solutions for all Rhode Islanders that will create good job opportunities, a safe place to live, adequate food, and affordable health care.