Rhode Island AFL-CIO

06/02/2026

Rhode Island AFL-CIO President Patrick Crowley praised the House Finance Committee for finding “a great compromise” and keeping the renewable energy standard deadline at 2033.

“It matters because in the long term our reliance on fossil fuel will make energy more expensive for Rhode Islanders,” Crowley said, “and transitioning to cleaner and cheaper energy is going to be where average Rhode Islanders will see the savings in years to come.”

Environmental, labor groups praise budget for maintaining 2033 deadline to reach renewable energy goal. Budget would add nuclear and hydro power as clean energy sources.

05/30/2026

Great remarks by the political director of the Rhode Island AFL-CIO Autumn Guillotte ...

"...the top 1% are currently enjoying an average tax break of almost $59,000 while more than 10,000 Rhode Islanders have already lost healthcare support due to the expiration of federal subsidies..."

05/30/2026

The Millionaires Tax is in the budget.

An income tax hike on RI millionaires and the creation of an office of inspector general highlight the $15.2B state budget unveiled by the House May 29

05/26/2026

05/17/2026

Over the last decade Rhode Island has been a hotbed of progressive, pro-worker legislation. But it wasn’t always this way. It took years of proactive organizing by the labor movement on legislative and electoral campaigns. This “blue” New England state was led by Republican Governor Donald Car...

05/16/2026

Why Business Climate Rankings Seldom Make Sense

There are serious problems with the four business climate rankings reviewed here, partly because of problems inherent in the use of composite index numbers, and partly because they are ideologically driven and promote policies of doubtful value in creating growth.

Is There Such a Thing as a State Business Climate?
The very concept of a business climate or overall measure of competitiveness is suspect. Read more

Rankings Are Poor Predictors of Growth
States that score higher on one index or another do not actually have better economic performance in subsequent years. Read more

Index Numbers: A Black Box Full of Mischief and Mystery
The possibilities for mischief and misdirection in the construction of a business climate index are almost unlimited. Read more

Business Climate Rankings Contradict Each Other
All four of the rankings claim to assess states’ business climate, yet there is a startling level of disagreement among them. Read more

06/26/2025

RI AFL-CIO Secretary Treasurer Karen Hazard and IFPTE local 400 President Denise Robinson on house organized labor has been essential for LGBTQ+ rights ✊🌈

This Pride Month, we’re proud to be union, proud to be q***r, and proud to keep up the fight, say the presidents of the Rhode Island Laborers’ District Council and IFPTE local 400.