RI lawmakers introduce the Working Families Agenda to tackle issues impacting working families, including threats from the White House

"We will see what Washington can do at its worst these next few years. That’s why we need Rhode Island to be at its best.”

From a press release:

A diverse group of over 20 legislators came together Wednesday to announce their Working Families Agenda, a list of top priorities for the 2025 legislative session. The group, which included representatives from across Rhode Island, presented a list of policies that will address the major issues affecting working people and that lawmakers agree should be prioritized to protect Rhode Islanders from the chaos and cruelty of the White House.

"It’s well-known—no matter your party or politics—that this State is staring down a crisis: President Trump looks hell-bent on cutting hundreds of million dollars or more to Rhode Island in particular,” said Representative David Morales, who spoke at the press conference. “So our Working Families agenda is about protecting families. But it’s also a call to action: For every Democrat in the Rhode Island State House, fighting Trump and Musk’s agenda starts in this building."

The Working Families Agenda includes proposals to raise wages, ensure Rhode Islanders don’t lose their healthcare, protect against Medicaid and federal funding cuts, eliminate barriers to life-saving emergency medication, expand access to quality affordable childcare, protect tenants from eviction and rising rents, and generate more revenue through fair taxation to be re-invested into working people’s priorities.

During the press conference, lawmakers emphasized the importance of a State government that stands firmly on the side of working people, calling attention to the State House’s role in fighting for ‘local solutions to national crises.’

“Let’s be clear—this is a time for bold leadership from every Democrat in Rhode Island and across the country,” said Representative Brandon Potter, who introduced the press conference. “We’re seeing the cost of living skyrocket while wages remain stagnant. We’re watching the Trump administration dismantle critical protections like the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, which protects people from banks ripping them off. We know what happens when the government prioritizes the wealthy and well-connected over everyday people—we’ve seen it before. We’re seeing it now.

“We deserve a Democratic Party that can be counted on to fill the breach in these moments—and we can choose to be that Party. We will see what Washington can do at its worst these next few years. That’s why we need Rhode Island to be at its best.”

Here’s the video:

You can read more about how the Trump administration will impact Rhode Islanders here. Below are statements from some members of the group, along with information on the bills presented:

Representative Teresa Tanzi on blocking Medicaid cuts and reducing barriers for people who need life-saving emergency care:

“Working people earned their healthcare, and State lawmakers should lock arms and say: We refuse to take healthcare away from Rhode Islanders. That means blocking the inevitable Medicaid cuts from Washington and stopping any attempts to cut critical healthcare funding from the State budget. It also means coming together to improve our healthcare system for people who need it most—and that’s what the Working Families Agenda is about.”

The Trump administration’s move to gut healthcare funding would drastically affect Rhode Islanders, including putting 81,300 people at risk of losing health coverage, forcing 68,000 Rhode Island seniors to pay more for medicine, reducing preventative care, and increasing ER wait times. The Working Families Agenda proposes to fight these federal cuts by blocking Medicaid cuts at the State level and remaining clear that State lawmakers refuse to take healthcare away from Rhode Islanders.

The agenda includes bills that make it easier for Rhode Islanders to get the emergency, life-saving care they need and make it more difficult for insurance companies to deny or delay care.

Health insurance prior authorization for mental health and substance abuse: sponsored by Senator Linda Ujifusa, S-0054 and Representative Teresa Tanzi (bill forthcoming)

Health insurance prior authorization for primary care providers: sponsored by Senator Linda Ujifusa, S-0053 and Representative Brandon Potter, H-5120

Regulating pharmacy benefit managers sponsored by Senator Linda Ujifusa, S-0117 and Representative Jennifer Stewart (bill forthcoming)

Representative Karen Alzate on fair taxation and generating more revenue for Rhode Islanders:

“Let’s be clear—there is enough money to fund Rhode Island families’ needs. The question isn’t whether we have the resources; it’s whether we dare to demand fairness. Because when the wealthiest claim they can’t afford to contribute more while working families are struggling to afford necessities, we know something isn’t right.”

Revenue for Rhode Islanders will create a new tax bracket only for the highest 1% annual income earners in Rhode Island, generating revenue for the state by taxing the portion of an individual’s income above $625,000 per year. This will generate approximately $190 million annually for education, child care, transportation, and more. Research shows that fair taxation benefits small businesses and boosts job creation, and 72% of Rhode Islanders support asking the wealthiest to pay their fair share to invest in the things that make the economy strong.

Revenue for Rhode Islanders: sponsored by Senator Melissa Murray (bill forthcoming) and Representative Karen Alzate (bill forthcoming)

Second Homes Tax: sponsored by Senator Meghan Kallman (bill forthcoming) and Representative Edith Ajello (bill forthcoming)

Representative Susan Donovan on expanding access to affordable child care for every family:

“We can no longer leave the wellbeing of our children to the slim chance that Washington will provide solutions to this crisis. It’s time we stand firmly on the side of our children and families, use the power of our office to lower costs, even the playing field, and make sure every single child and family in Rhode Island gets what we all deserve: a good life, a good education, and a state that works hard to make their lives a little easier.”

The Child Care For All bill will dramatically expand the number of families who can get childcare. It lowers the price tag for Rhode Island families, so no one would have to pay more than 7% of their household income compared to the 23% the average family currently pays.

The Rhode Island Early Educator Workforce Act will increase access to high-quality infant and toddler early care and education, ensuring Rhode Island pays childcare specialists and early educators a decent wage so they can stay in the field.

Early Educator Compensation Act: sponsored by Representative Susan Donovan, H-5200, and Senator Louis DiPalma (bill forthcoming); Child Care for All: sponsored by Representative Cherie Cruz, H-5321

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Representative Cherie Cruz on protecting tenants’ rights:

“Some people work double shifts just to afford their monthly rent. They never miss a payment, yet they have to worry about a retaliatory eviction or an extreme rent increase simply for asking for repairs; instead of fixing it, their landlord decides to throw them out of their home. We can’t let that happen anymore. With close to 40% of Rhode Islanders who are tenants, we need to stop the hemorrhaging of people at risk of experiencing homelessness. As elected officials, we must show Rhode Islanders we are firmly on the side of working people. We can’t let corporate landlords and real estate companies continue to make our homelessness crisis worse. The Working Families Agenda helps people stay in their homes. It stops unjust evictions for tenants in good standing. And it stops letting landlords get away with these predatory, extreme rent increases.”

The Just Cause Eviction Act will dramatically reduce the number of people who are getting thrown out of their homes by landlords who choose to exploit tenants. The Comprehensive Rent Stabilization Act will limit rent increases to no more than 4% annually for private rental tenancies. During the first year of a tenancy, landlords cannot increase rent and thereafter must provide written notice specifying the rent increase amount and supporting details.

Just Cause Eviction Act: sponsored by Senator Tiara Mack, S-0212 and Representative Cherie Cruz (bill forthcoming)

Comprehensive Rent Stabilization Act: sponsored by Representative Brandon Potter, H-5264 and Senator Tiara Mack (forthcoming)

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Representative David Bennett on raising the minimum wage:

“When our lower earners do well, our economy does better, but we need to earn a living wage.”

This bill will increase the State’s minimum wage from $15 to $20 over five years. The legislation will keep Rhode Island’s minimum wage rising in a predictable, stable way that allows businesses to comfortably plan for the coming increases while maintaining our commitment to livable wages for our constituents.

Raising the minimum wage: sponsored by Senator John Burke, S-0125 and Representative David Bennett, H-5029.

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Representative Megan Cotter on reducing the cost of utilities:

“RI consumers pay so much because they’re up against a monopoly. It’s time to explore finally injecting some real competition into our energy market via publicly owned utility alternatives. Families need relief and long-term solutions that provide more options for meeting their energy needs.”

This bill will launch a year-long study commission into possible public utility options—like those in Nebraska and Ann Arbor, Michigan—that could increase competition in the energy market, provide Rhode Islanders with more options, and lower costs for hard-working families.

Commission to study public ownership of certain public utilities sponsored by Representative Megan Cotter. H-5161.