Rhode Island Eyes Tax on Rich to Counter Trump Policies

Rhode Island Governor Dan McKee is warming to the idea of a tax on the wealthy as one way to bolster the state’s resources after a particularly turbulent year for its economy.

A proposal for a 3% surtax on incomes of more than $640,000, or the top 1% of earners, is getting a closer look from lawmakers because of the budget hole created by federal cuts to Medicaid, food-assistance and other programs. McKee in an interview said he’s open to the surtax if it’s paired with tax cuts for businesses, seniors and other groups, a contrast to comments last spring that it wasn’t time for such a step.