McKee Signs FY27 Rhode Island Budget and Executive Order for Governor's Bay Day

Rhode Island Governor Dan McKee signed the state's Fiscal Year 2027 budget on June 12, 2026, at a Providence childcare center, marking the conclusion of the six-month legislative session. Separately, McKee signed an executive order establishing the 37th Governor's Bay Day, a Rhode Island tradition offering free parking at all state beaches and saltwater fishing without a license from July 24-26, 2026; RIPTA also waived round-trip fares for the South County Express Beach Bus during the event. The $15.2 billion FY27 budget took effect July 1, 2026, and included a new state Child Tax Credit, described by the Governor's Office as a refundable $330 credit per child providing $47 million in annual tax relief to more than 70,000 families. The budget also eliminated the state tax on Social Security income for 9,200 early retirees who were not previously exempt, and included a bond package with $275 million designated for higher education facilities, according to the Governor's Office. A three-year charter school moratorium received final legislative approval less than 24 hours before the budget signing, a provision described by independent coverage as controversial. Both actions are confirmed as completed: the budget is in effect and the Bay Day executive order set specific dates for its beach and transit benefits. Sources differ in emphasis, with the Governor's Office highlighting specific budget benefits and tax relief figures, while independent coverage noted the budget did not include everything on McKee's original wish list, though details of those omitted items are not specified across sources. The full scope of items excluded from McKee's original budget proposal remains unaddressed in the available reporting.