What a great annual Legislative Luncheon we had on February 15 at the Rhode Island Convention Center! 

More than 700 top business and civic leaders joined the Rhode Island General Assembly leadership and over 70 state legislators to discuss this year's budget, education, health care, economy, taxes, the Washington Bridge, life sciences, I-195 land development and other timely issues impacting the business community today. 

Thank you to Speaker Joe Shekarchi, House Majority Leader Christopher Blazejewski, Senate Majority Leader Ryan Pearson, House Minority Leader Michael Chippendale and Senate Minority Leader Jessica de la Cruz for speaking with our members.

Much appreciation also to Bally’s Corporation for being our Presenting Sponsor again this year. The event would not be possible without your support and the support of all our sponsors.

Not able to attend? Learn what our legislative leaders had to say by reading the below coverage:

Providence Business News: 

General Assembly leaders split on tax cuts, other policy issues at Chamber event

House Speaker K. Joseph Shekarchi would not commit to any specific reductions, noting how with federal funds to combat the pandemic no longer coming in, any tax cuts inherently eat into revenues. 

Like all businesses and citizens, he continued, “We have to live … within our own budget, and that includes the state. We have to realize we don’t have that [federal] money and try and keep an open mind. There is very little wiggle room in the budget.”

The Providence Journal: 

Top RI lawmakers tell business leaders Washington Bridge costs keep them up at night

Rhode Island's top lawmakers Thursday said the state is in fiscal limbo over the failure of the westbound half of the Washington Bridge, with no idea how much repairs will cost or when the bill will come due.

Addressing the state's business elite at an annual Greater Providence Chamber of Commerce lunch, House Speaker K. Joseph Shekarchi acknowledged the potential cost of the deteriorating bridge "does keep me up at night" with fears of the potential impact on the state budget.

The Boston Globe:

Legislative leaders weigh in on R.I. Washington Bridge’s impact on economy, budget

“It does keep me up at night,” House Speaker Shekarchi said at the Greater Providence Chamber of Commerce event Thursday. “We don’t know if it’s going to be a repair or a replacement. … We don’t know where the money is coming from.”

Rhode Island Current

iGaming to launch at Bally’sTwin River March 1

Marc Crisafulli, chairman of Bally’s Rhode Island’s board of directors, confirmed the casino operator’s upcoming “soft launch” into iGaming on Thursday during the Greater Providence Chamber of Commerce annual legislative leadership luncheon. The event was sponsored by Bally’s Corp.