Inform. Advocate. Transform.
Providing Rhode Islanders with research, analysis, and advocacy on transformational and equitable fiscal and policy changes to advance racial and economic justice.
Providing Rhode Islanders with research, analysis, and advocacy on transformational and equitable fiscal and policy changes to advance racial and economic justice.
On April 28, 2026, the Economic Progress Institute (EPI) presented to members of the Rhode Island Senate on the case for raising $203 million/year in revenue for Rhode Island by taxing the Top 1% on income earners in the state - just 6,100 households. The briefing focused on Rhode Island’s current fiscal challenges, the projected impacts of federal changes under the "One Big Beautiful Bill Act," and the role fair revenue policies can play in protecting essential public services.
EPI was joined by national and regional experts from the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities, the Institute on Taxation and Economic Policy, and the Massachusetts Budget and Policy Center to provide research, data, and real-world examples related to tax fairness, migration patterns, and state revenue policy.
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.
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.