It’s that time of year again. Legislation is moving at breakneck speed at the State House as committees begin advancing legislation that will impact your bottom line. Whether higher taxes, labor cost increases, or new mandates exposing you to lawsuits, NFIB will continue to fight these destructive bills.

The House Labor Committee advanced legislation to increase the state minimum wage to $17 per hour over the next 2 years, higher than both Connecticut and Massachusetts. Even if you do not have minimum wage positions, a higher base wage will mean the whole wage scale rises in Rhode Island. Additionally, as the only state in the nation with premium pay laws, it could mean a $25.50 per hour wage on Sundays and holidays. Please take a moment to contact your lawmakers on this issue today!

Bills on workplace bullying, extreme temperature standards, and captive audience are also gaining traction with lawmakers. While very different subject matters, these bills will all expose Rhode Island employers to frivolous lawsuits. Please contact your legislators on the extreme temperature bill and captive audience.

As the state scrambles for more revenue, legislative leaders are not ruling out tax increases. The proposal of choice seems to be a 3% surtax on income over $625,000. But make no mistake, this will extend far beyond the state’s wealthiest residents. Instead, it will mean an 8.99% tax rate on pass-through entity small businesses. Rhode Island LLCs, partnerships, s-corps will be taxed at the higher rate and have less money to reinvest in their businesses. Please contact your elected officials on the tax hike and also read the Providence Journal column authored by NFIB Rhode Island state director Christopher Carlozzi.