𝗥𝗜 𝗛𝗼𝘂𝘀𝗲 𝗥𝗲𝗽𝘂𝗯𝗹𝗶𝗰𝗮𝗻𝘀

For the first time in 20 years, bond questions were not unanimously approved by the electorate. Two of the bonds were rejected. @NBC10 — Rhode Island voters rejected two of the five statewide bond questions on Tuesday’s ballot, according to preliminary results, marking the first time voters have turned down state bond proposals since 2006. Voters approved $445 million in state borrowing but rejected an additional $150 million by voting down Question 3 for economic development and Question 4 for the cultural economy. “I suspect that a lot of the ‘no’ votes were among that cohort of people who realized that there is a lot of debt that comes with these bonds,” said House Minority Leader @MikeWChip . “They understood that this added debt was something that they would be responsible for.” Over the past 10 years, the state has taken on approximately $2.78 billion in debt service for approved bonds. Including interest, this year’s approved bonds will add about $721 million to that total. turnto10.com/news/local/rhod…

Your voice matters. Please vote. And if you live in these RI House Districts, we ask you to please support the following outstanding Representatives: State Representative @ChrisPaplauskas State Representative Paul Santucci State @FasciaRep42 Richard Fascia Leader Michael Chippendale @MikeWChip @DavidPlace01 @BrianCNewberry @MarieForRI George Nardone @SherryRoberts29

VOTE NO ON ALL 5 BOND QUESTIONS As reported on @NBC10: House Minority Leader Michael Chippendale @MikeWChip opposes all five bond questions. “Borrowing our way out of a problem that we find ourselves in now is like paying credit card debt with more credit cards,” he said. While Question 1 asks for $275 million, estimated interest over the next 20 years would bring the total to more than $440 million. That would have to be paid off at around $1.60 for every dollar borrowed, eventually hitting taxpayers. “We cannot continue to borrow our way into prosperity,” said Chippendale. The other bond questions ask to borrow money for housing, economic development, cultural and environmental initiatives. turnto10.com/news/local/rhod…

Truth & Consequences: Navigating the 2026 House Legislative Session, A Rhode House Minority Report, RI Education Accountability For too long, Rhode Island’s answer to poor education outcomes has been to spend more money, not demand better results. Bottom Line: Unfunded state education mandates increase costs, limit local decision-making, and can pull resources from the classroom. Every child deserves a strong education, every parent deserves a voice, and every taxpayer deserves proof that education dollars are producing results. RI spends approximately $20,315 per student, among the highest levels in the nation, yet reading and math proficiency scores remain low. Check out the sixth chapter in our report, focused on Rhode Island Education Accountability, below. RI House Minority Caucus Leader Michael Chippendale @MikeWChip @DavidPlace01 @BrianCNewberry George Nardone Robert Quattrocchi @SherryRoberts29 @FasciaRep42 @ChrisPaplauskas @MarieForRI Paul Santucci

Truth & Consequences: Navigating the 2026 House Legislative Session, A Rhode House Minority Report, RI Business Climate and Regulatory Burdens Rhode Island’s business climate is under performing, and small businesses are carrying the weight of higher costs, mandates, and regulations. Bottom Line: Rhode Island cannot grow if state government keeps making it harder to hire, invest, compete, and do business here. Among New England states, Rhode Island ranks worst for starting a business, and ranks 50th nationwide – demonstrating how difficult the state has made it for entrepreneurs and small businesses to launch, grow and compete. Check out the fifth chapter in our report, focused on Rhode Island Business Climate and Regulatory Burdens, below. RI House Minority Caucus Leader Michael Chippendale @MikeWChip @DavidPlace01 @BrianCNewberry George Nardone Robert Quattrocchi @SherryRoberts29 Richard Fascia @ChrisPaplauskas @MarieForRI Paul Santucci

Truth & Consequences: Navigating the 2026 House Legislative Session, A Rhode House Minority Report, RI Healthcare Access and Affordability Today, Rhode Island has a shortage of approximately 300 physicians, leaving an estimated 343,000 residents without adequate access to healthcare. Bottom Line: Rhode Islanders are paying more for healthcare, while too many families struggle to find accessible care. The state’s Medicaid match consumes 34.5% of Rhode Island’s revenue spending, compared with 65.5% for all other major government services combined. Check out the fourth chapter in our report, focused on Rhode Island Healthcare Access and Affordability, below. RI House Minority Caucus Leader Michael Chippendale @MikeWChip @DavidPlace01 @BrianCNewberry George Nardone Robert Quattrocchi @SherryRoberts29 Richard Fascia @ChrisPaplauskas @MarieForRI Paul Santucci

Truth & Consequences: Navigating the 2026 House Legislative Session, A Rhode House Minority Report - RI Housing Affordability Despite years of public spending and voter-approved housing bonds, Rhode Island remains one of the least affordable states to rent, buy or raise a family. Bottom Line: Housing costs determine whether families stay, businesses can hire, and the next generation can afford to build a life in Rhode Island. From 2006- 2021, Rhode Island voters approved more than $165M in Housing Bonds. Those funds helped create and rehabilitate ONLY 4,007 state-funded affordable homes in 15 years. Check out the third chapter in our report, focused on Rhode Island Housing Affordability, below. RI House Minority Caucus Leader Michael Chippendale @MikeWChip @DavidPlace01 @BrianCNewberry George Nardone Robert Quattrocchi @SherryRoberts29 Richard Fascia @ChrisPaplauskas @MarieForRI Paul Santucci #HousingRI

ENERGY REFORM Truth & Consequences: Navigating the 2026 House Legislative Session, A Rhode House Minority Report – RI Energy Reform Rhode Island families and businesses are paying electricity rates that are amongst the highest in the nation, while state energy mandates and taxes continue to add pressure to monthly bills. Bottom Line: Rhode Islanders deserve reliable power at prices families and businesses can afford. High energy costs are putting ever-increasing pressure on household budgets. The average residential retail electricity prices in Rhode Island generally increased between 2020 and 2025, by approximately 34% Check out the second chapter in our report, focused on RI Energy Reform, below. RI House Minority Caucus Leader Michael Chippendale @MikeWChip @DavidPlace01 @BrianCNewberry George Nardone Robert Quattrocchi @SherryRoberts29 Richard Fascia @ChrisPaplauskas @MarieForRI Paul Santucci

Truth & Consequences: Navigating the 2026 House Legislative Session, A Rhode House Minority Report – RI Fiscal Expansion and New Taxes Rhode Islanders are paying more in taxes while ranking 13th in the highest costs of living. Bottom Line: Before asking Rhode Islanders to pay higher taxes, state government should be required to control spending, root out waste and prove it is using taxpayer dollars wisely. In just 7 years, cumulative tax dollars that provide the funding needed to support the state budget for government programs, services and operations has increased 47.61%. This is not sustainable. Check out the first chapter in our report, focused on RI Fiscal Expansion and New Taxes, below. RI House Minority Caucus Leader Michael Chippendale @MikeWChip @DavidPlace01 @BrianCNewberry George Nardone Robert Quattrocchi @SherryRoberts29 Richard Fascia @ChrisPaplauskas @MarieForRI Paul Santucci

Thanks, @IanDonnis for including the launch of our Truth & Consequences report in your weekly TGIF column: 7. FALLING BEHIND I Rhode Island House Republicans this week unveiled a 17-page online report about the 2026 session. The document said it examined what was passed by Democrats, the cost, and the alternative proposed by Republicans. According to the summary, “In the 2026 session of the Rhode Island General Assembly, the Democratic supermajority had the power to make the state more affordable, more accountable, and easier to live in. Too often, they chose a different path: higher spending, new taxes and fees, expanded mandates, and policies that will make life more expensive for families, seniors, small businesses, and taxpayers. Supporters described these measures as progress. House Republicans asked the harder questions: What will they cost? Who will pay? And will they actually solve the problem?” rihousegop.org/2026sessionbr…

Leader Michael Chippendale @MikeWChip and @taragranahan1 discuss the newly released House Minority Caucus report on the 2026 Legislative Session: Truth & Consequences. "Be wary of the Majority touting 'record investments' as an accomplishment. In looking back at the state monies allocated --for example, in housing, education, and infrastructure, we are not realizing a substantive return on those huge investments. Here is the translation for 'record investments' – record spending." LISTEN TO THIS IMPORTANT CONVERSATION HERE: youtube.com/watch?v=_Wn_CLxL…