Today, @MASSforRep and Rep. Stephen Casey joined the @mfgri and Walco Electric for the @Siemens eXplore Tour Mobile Lab’s first visit to Rhode Island. The Mobile Lab allows participants to see, touch and better understand technologies designed to help manufacturers become more productive, competitive and resilient. Watch the event: capitoltvri.cablecast.tv/sho…

Yesterday, @sdonovanbristol, @hannagallo27, Gov. Dan McKee and @RIDeptEd Commissioner Angélica Infante-Green kicked off the #AttendanceMattersRI campaign for school year 2026-27, announcing the 4th consecutive year of decreased chronic absenteeism. @MASSforRep and Rep. Earl Read also participated in the event. Validated year-end data for School Year 2025-2026 indicate Rhode Island has experienced a 14.4-percentage-point decrease in chronic absenteeism since the height of the pandemic, resulting in the recovery of approximately 4.4 million instructional hours. “One thing I know from my years as a teacher is that students whose families make school the highest priority are the kids who get the most out of school and are eager to learn. Showing up every day on time, rested, prepared, and ready to learn is absolutely necessary for kids to engage in school and absorb what they’re being taught,” said Rep. Donovan, a member of the House Education Committee and a retired educator. Watch the event online: capitoltvri.cablecast.tv/sho… More information: rilegislature.gov/pressrelea…

Pictured in @LocalInsiderRI: @MASSforRep at an event to celebrate the opening of the new Lincoln Learning Center. thelocalinsidernews.com/offi…

The General Assembly has passed legislation from @MASSforRep and @AlanaDimario to improve access to childcare by standardizing state zoning laws for family childcare homes. “In the 1980s, long before I was a legislator, I worked in collaboration with Rep. Nancy Benoit and the Family Child Care Homes of RI on an overhaul of group daycare regulations. As a compromise to get the bill passed, the language standardizing zoning statewide was removed at the 11th hour,” said Rep. Shallcross Smith, who has worked in the family daycare and childcare industry in Rhode Island for 53 years. “This bill finally completes that work by ensuring that family childcare homes, which are regulated and licensed by the state, will operate under the same zoning rules statewide. This will provide childcare spots for families in need and reduce wait times while maintaining the same strong safety regulations already in place.” More information: rilegislature.gov/pressrelea…

Legislation introduced by @MASSforRep and Sen. Robert Britto that combats several forms of business identity theft, helps prevent business scams, and assists individuals and businesses who have been impacted by fraud has become law. Among other provisions, the legislation (2026-H 8324A, 2026-S 3212A) addresses two forms of fraudulent activity: 1. Unauthorized filings submitted to the RI Department of State to form new business entities using individuals’ names and addresses as “registered agents” and/or “authorized person(s)” without their consent; and 2. Deceptive solicitations or mailings that are sent to entities registered with the Department’s Business Services Division to offer annual report filing services for exorbitant fees, when, in fact, entities can file these reports directly with the Department without paying an additional “service” fee. Often, these mailings are designed to confuse the recipient by appearing as though they are coming from a government entity. More information: rilegislature.gov/pressrelea…

Legislation (2026-H 8604A, 2026-S 3367A) introduced by @MASSforRep and Louis P. DiPalma to change Rhode Island tax law relating to the filing of a 1099 form to make it consistent with policies of the Internal Revenue Service has become law. In February, the Division of Taxation clarified that it would require all filers with income more than $100 to file an informational 1099 form in accordance with state law. This dollar amount hasn’t changed since the law was enacted in 1971. “This legislation brings Rhode Island into conformance with the IRS guidelines where 1099 wages need to be reported,” said Representative Shallcross Smith (D-Dist. 46, Lincoln, Pawtucket), who chairs the House Small Business Committee. “The bill would make clear that Rhode Island’s 1099 reporting threshold will change with the federal guidelines to ensure consistency. Currently, the federal threshold is $2,000. The current guidance creates a significant administrative burden that impacts nonprofits, businesses and state agencies running community programs, and adds significant cost to nonprofits, whose budgets have been reduced by federal funding cuts, by requiring extra work from accountants.” More information: rilegislature.gov/pressrelea…

Today, General Assembly leaders including @repgracediaz, Rep. Karen Alzate, @sdonovanbristol, @MASSforRep, @tanzister, Senate President @Val_Lawson, and @AlanaDimario joined early childhood advocates and families at Child Inc. to celebrate 2026 legislative victories for Rhode Island’s youngest residents and their families. The event highlighted significant investments included in the FY2027 state budget that aim to stabilize Rhode Island’s early education workforce, expand access to affordable child care, and provide direct health and economic relief to families across the state. “It is gratifying that my colleagues in the General Assembly have seen fit to continue our commitment to the children of this state,” said Rep. Diaz. “These advances don’t happen magically. It takes a lot of hard work from parents, educators, caregivers, advocates and lawmakers, especially during years like this one, where we all have to tighten our belts. I look forward to our work as we continue to make the children of this state a legislative and policy priority.” More details: rilegislature.gov/pressrelea… Watch the event: capitoltvri.cablecast.tv/sho…

Earlier today, @MASSforRep hosted a group of students from @nurturedelc at the State House. Rep. Shallcross Smith led a mock legislative session for the students, where they debated several bills and learned about how laws are made.