Highlights from Governor McKee’s 2026 State of the State Address

Published on Tuesday, January 13, 2026

• “Tonight, I am excited to propose Rhode Island's first Affordability for All agenda...”
• “While we’re working to bring costs down, President Trump has made life more expensive at every turn. His erratic tariff policies have swept through the economy, raising prices on groceries and household goods. In the first eight months of the Trump presidency, the average household paid an additional $700 due to higher costs. As Governor, I’m not going to stand by and let President Trump price Rhode Islanders out of their way of life. Because Rhode Island’s future is one worth fighting for—and that future should be affordable for all.”
• “Rhode Island has the fourth-highest residential electricity rates in the nation. We cannot let this continue. I know that families are at their breaking point when it comes to energy costs. That’s why in December I was pleased to see the Public Utilities Commission vote—at my request—to provide $21 million in cuts to your energy bill this year. My budget will deliver even more energy relief.”
• “I’m talking to all Rhode Islanders when I say the cost of health care is too high.”
• “Keeping our uninsured rate as low as possible is important to all of us because it helps stabilize our health insurance costs and lessens the risk placed on our healthcare system. That’s why my budget will invest $9.5 million to create the state’s first Marketplace Affordability program to support the 20,000 Rhode Islanders who are at the greatest risk of losing their HealthSourceRI coverage.”
• “Rhode Island is one of only eight states that taxes Social Security. Let’s change that. … We’ve cut costs for seniors before. Now, let’s keep delivering. I’m proud to announce that my budget will put forward a plan to eliminate the state tax on Social Security once and for all.”
• “At the heart of opportunity is a four-letter word: J-O-B-S. Jobs. Since the start of my administration, over 36,000 private sector jobs have been added to our economy, with many more in the pipeline. At Fidelity in Smithfield, Regent in North Kingstown, Amazon in Johnston, Breeze Airways in Warwick, Organogenesis in Smithfield, Anduril in North Kingstown, Blount Fine Foods in Warren, Norpak in South Kingstown, Flux Marine in Bristol; and that’s just to name a few!”
• “Keep Rhode Island building: that's one of the best ways to protect our economy from national downturns.”
• “Together, we will stand up to President Trump when he tries to take away Rhode Islanders’ health care, food assistance, jobs, or the programs that families rely on.”