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Legislative Updates: Advocacy in Action, General Assembly Updates, Action Alerts
In the News: Press Releases, Chamber in the News
Economic Development: Economic Indicator Reports, Economic Studies
News & Media By Newport This Week Staff on March 26, 2026 By Philip Cozzolino Fewer cruise ships are visiting Newport. Only 41 cruise stops are booked for the 2026 season, according to the city. That is down from over 50 cruises last year and a departure from the typical volume seen before 2025, when more…
Read MoreNews & Media GUESTVIEW By Community Submission on March 19, 2026 NEWPORT THIS WEEK Rhode Island’s proposal to impose yet another cruise ship passenger fee may sound modest on paper, but in practice it is a shortsighted policy that risks undermining one of the state’s most visible and economically productive tourism assets: Newport’s waterfront. The governor’s…
Read MoreLegislative Updates Advocacy in Action March 23, 2026 This Week at the State House Tuesday, March 24th A number of bills will be heard in the Senate Commerce Committee at the Rise (approximately 4:30 pm) in Room 212. Testimony regarding these matters can be submitted to: slegislation@rilegislature.gov Credit Card Fees…
Read MoreConnect Greater Newport January 2026 Key Takeaways: Executive Summary The Greater Newport Economy has emerged relatively strong since the global pandemic tested the resilience of the business community and residents of the region. The analysis and information gathered for this report yield several key findings. Sector Dynamics ● The Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services sector…
Read MoreLegislative Updates Advocacy in Action March 16, 2026 This Week at the State House Wednesday, March 18th Payment of Wages On Wednesday at 4pm in Room 101, the House Labor Committee will convene for hearings on a few bills impacting payment of wages, including changes to minimum wage. Testimony…
Read MoreLegislative Updates Advocacy in Action March 9, 2026 This Week at the State House Tuesday, March 10th New Employer Tax Proposal The companion bill to last week’s H.7965 is scheduled for hearing in the Senate Health and Human Services Committee at the Rise (approximately 4:30 p.m.) in the Senate…
Read MoreLegislative Updates Advocacy in Action March 2, 2026 This Week at the State House Tuesday, March 3rd Tax Amnesty; Tax Rates The House Finance Committee will convene at the Rise (approximately 4:30 p.m.) in Room 35. The agenda includes the Governor’s tax amnesty program as well as the increase in…
Read MoreEconomic Development About this study: The communities of Aquidneck Island – Newport, Middletown, and Portsmouth – as well as Naval Station Newport (NAVSTA) are the joint beneficiaries of a Compatible Use Study (the Study) grant funded by the U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) Office of Local Defense Community Cooperation (OLDCC). The Study is targeted towards…
Read MoreLegislative Updates Advocacy in Action February 16, 2026 What is in the Governor’s Budget? In the coming editions of Advocacy in Action, we will highlight and summarize key articles of interest to the business community. Article 8 – Relating to Medical Assistance https://webserver.rilegislature.gov/BillText26/HouseText26/Article-008.pdf Article 8 provides for changes to certain…
Read MoreLegislative Updates Last Week at the State House The Chamber provided testimony on four bills last week. Prohibiting Credit Card Surcharges – Opposed Passage H 7409 would make it a deceptive trade practice for any retail establishment to impose a surcharge fee on a customer for the use of a credit card. The…
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