All students deserve an education that inspires them, encourages their curiosity, and prepares them for success.
All workers deserve the support, resources, and time to do their jobs well, and the security to retire with dignity.
Through NEARI member advocacy at the Statehouse, we work to create public pre-K-12 schools, colleges, universities, and public services that are worthy of all Rhode Islanders, and to build a more fair, just, and equitable nation for everyone.
2026 Legislative Priorities
NEARI enters the 2026 legislative session focused on four core priorities to strengthen public education, protect retirement security, safeguard democratic control of schools, and advance fair wages, benefits, and working conditions for all employees.
1. Protecting Public Education from Federal Voucher Schemes and the Dismantling of Public Education
NEARI unequivocally opposes the Trump Administration's nationwide voucher scheme disguised as scholarship granting organizationsand its broader efforts to dismantle pbulic educaiton and undermine democratic, locally governed school systems.
- Oppose any federal voucher opt-in and prevent Rhode Island from being used as a test case for the Trump Administration's unaccountable voucher agenda, which diverts public dollars away from public schools and lacks transparency and oversight.
- Support strong state-level protections to counteract federal actions and policies designed to weaken public education, prioritize public resources and erode local control.
2. Ensuring Fair Funding for Public Education, Higher Ed & Public Health
K-12 Public Education
- Increase funding in the state budget to meet the needs of students, educators, and communities.
- Revise the state education funding formula to better reflect student needs and ensure municipalities pay their fair share.
- Support a moratorium on charter school expansion.
Higher Education and Public Health
- Increase funding in the state budget to meet the needs of students, educators, and workers.
- Protect investments in URI, CCRI, and the Department of Health to stabilize staffing, support student needs, and ensure safe, well-functioning institutions.
3. Improving Pensions and Retirement Security
Rhode Island must restore fairness and long-term sustainability to the ERSRI system. NEARI supports legislation that improves pension and retirement benefits for both active and retired members.
4. Strengthening Collective Bargaining and Fair Working Conditions
To protect workers and stabilize the education workforce, NEARI supports legislation that expands collective bargaining rights and workplace fairness, including:
- State Sector Neutrality requiring:
- Employer neutrality and card-check recognition for all State Labor Relations Act (SLRA) elections
- Thirty minutes of paid union orientation for all newly hired public-sector employees
- Improvements to the desk audit criteria to ensure fair and equitable recognition of the work performed by higher-ed education support professionals (ESPs) and DOH Professional Staff Association members.
- Legislation allowing state employees to negotiate longevity pay.
NEARI looks forward to working with lawmakers, education partners, labor allies, and community stakeholders throughout the 2026 legislative session to advance policies that strengthen public education,
protect public workers and retirees, and ensure every Rhode Island community has access to fully funded, high-quality public services.
For questions, partnership opportunities, or additional information regarding bill support or opposition, please contact NEARI Government Relations Director Alex Lucini
Media inquiries can be directed to Communications Director Stephanie Mandeville.
Lobby Day
Letters & Testimony
