PROVIDENCE — Democratic state legislative leaders said the “chaotic” start to President Trump’s current term is bad for business and bad for Rhode Island. During Wednesday’s Greater Providence Chamber of Commerce legislative luncheon, House Majority Leader Christopher R. Blazejewski, a Providence Democrat, said businesses always emphasize the need for stability and predictability from government. " Right now, we don’t have even 60 minutes of predictability coming out of Washington," he said. For example, federal funding to replace the Washington Bridge westbound remains frozen by the Trump administration, said House Speaker K. Joseph Shekarchi, a Warwick Democrat. “The last 60 days, there’s been nothing but instability coming out of Washington,” he said. But a Republican state legislative leader contended that the Trump administration will be good for the state, and she accused the state’s all-Democratic congressional delegation of “childish behavior.” " I think things are going really well," Senate Minority Leader Jessica de la Cruz , a North Smithfield Republican, said during the luncheon. “I can’t wait to see America back on the road to prosperity, and I think that’s going to be really great news for Rhode Island.” De la Cruz said she sees the state’s congressional delegation frequently attacking the Trump administration on social media. “I don’t think that we want a target on our back,” she said. “Build bridges and don’t burn them, and I think Rhode Island will be appreciated. If we want bridge funding, let’s not poke the bear.” During last year’s chamber luncheon, legislative leaders said they were deeply concerned about the Washington Bridge’s impact on the state’s economy and the state budget. The westbound lanes of the Interstate 195 bridge, a main artery into and out of Providence, were closed in December 2023 after the state discovered major structural deficiencies . Those concerns remained front and center during Wednesday’s event, which drew hundreds of business people and legislators to the Rhode Island Convention Center. Rhode Island’s congressmen have expressed concerns that Trump’s federal funding freeze could impact the $220 million granted to Rhode Island during the Biden administration to rebuild the Washington Bridge. And Shekarchi said, “ Right now, the money is frozen — that’s my understanding. It’s still frozen by the Trump administration.” He said Governor Daniel J. McKee has written to the Secretary of Transportation Sean Duffy asking the administration release the money. At a Feb. 13 legislative oversight hearing , state Department of Transportation Director Peter Alviti Jr. said the state would still be able to build a new Washington Bridge, even without those federal funds. But Shekarchi said Rhode Island “desperately” needs that federal funding. “If we don’t get that money for some reason, could we theoretically do it alone, on our own state funds?” he asked. “Probably, yes. But at what cost? A cost to every other DOT project, every other transportation project in the state.” Shekarchi said the Trump administration is creating uncertainty in other parts of the state budget, as well. He cited concerns about cuts to Medicare and Medicaid funds, plus cuts to local universities and outside agencies. “What’s happening in Washington will have a direct impact on what’s happening in Rhode Island,” Shekarchi said. “I used to say, when people asked me, that changes daily. Now it changes hourly.” In discussing the $14.2 billion state budget , Shekarchi raised concerns about Governor Daniel J. McKee’s proposal to slap a new 10 percent tax on digital advertising revenues in the state, which would apply only to media companies with more than $1 billion in global revenues. Shekarchi said 49 states don’t tax that revenue, which he referred to as “a tax on internet advertisements on Google and Facebook,” and he said the one state that does tax it, Maryland, is in litigation. McKee’s budget relies on $20 million from that tax, Shekarchi said. “So we need to make sure that, if we do enact that, that we are going to get that revenue,” he said. Senate President Dominick J. Ruggerio, a North Providence Democrat, did not attend the luncheon. He has been battling pneumonia for more than two weeks but expects to return home from the Our Lady of Fatima rehabilitation facility on Wednesday or Thursday, Senate spokesman Greg Pare said. “He is doing wonderfully,” Pare said. And Ruggerio hopes to return to Senate sessions next week, he said. Senate Majority Leader Valarie J. Lawson, of East Providence, and Senate Finance Committee Chairman Louis P. DiPalma, of Middletown, represented Senate Democrats at the event. House Minority Leader Michael W. Chippendale, a Foster Republican, refused to participate in Wednesday’s legislative session. “I see no value in this event for anyone involved — legislators, attendees, or chamber members,” he said in a statement. “It is just a fundraiser for the chamber and nothing more. It has simply proven to be a waste of time.” But de la Cruz did attend. “Republicans have different opinions,” she told the Globe before the luncheon. “I respect (Chippendale’s) decision and rationale. I do see value in being here today. It’s a chance to speak to the business community about what’s going on in Rhode Island and how we can fix things.” At the end of the luncheon, chamber President Laurie White asked Shekarchi if he plans to run for governor in 2026. " It is way too early for that," Shekarchi replied. “I was elected speaker 60 days ago, and that’s where I’m concentrating, that’s where my efforts are. So I have no news to break on that front today.” When White posed that question to others on the stage, de la Cruz said she is not planning to run for governor. But, she added, “I learned very early on, never close the door on anything. I’m not saying it’s likely. But who knows what the future holds?”
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