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Committee weighs one‑year sunset extensions and $25M Rebuild RI cap increase amid calls for stronger ORA review
Summary
The committee considered extending nine program sunsets by one year and a $25 million increase to the Rebuild Rhode Island cap, prompting lawmakers and analysts to press for more formal integration of Office of Revenue Analysis evaluations into renewal decisions rather than routine renewals.
The House Finance Committee reviewed the administration’s request to extend sunsets on nine incentive and grant programs and to raise the Rebuild Rhode Island tax‑credit ceiling by $25 million (from $225 million to $250 million). Committee staff noted roughly $185 million has been set aside to redeem credits to date and described limited remaining capacity for new commitments.
"The governor's proposal is for a $25,000,000 cap increase, bringing that to $250,000,000," Sharon told the committee during the staff overview. She added the budget resets annual funding and that the administration’s FY27 estimates would result in about $201 million set aside against a $250 million cap.
Representative Tansey and other members pressed for clearer use of ORA evaluations when deciding to extend or modify programs. Tansey argued that sunsets should trigger substantive review rather than automatic extensions. "I just think for us to... have independent analysis," Tansey said, urging the committee to hold ORA reports up to budget decisions.
Alan Krinsky of the Economic Progress Institute amplified that concern, arguing the legislature often renews these programs without acting on ORA's findings. "We extend them without reviewing the ORA reports," Krinsky said, and recommended public hearings or statutory changes to force timely evaluation and policymaker engagement.
Administration witnesses, including State Budget Officer Joe Cadiga and Secretary Pryor, said ORA reports are consulted in budget development and that ORA has recommended reauthorizing several programs under review. Pryor also said independent third‑party analyses accompany Commerce Corporation project approvals.
Members requested additional documentation, including ORA analyses and company listings tied to credits, before taking further action. No formal votes were held at the conclusion of the hearing.
