Monday, May 3, 2021

11am Governor McKee, Fidelity Investments Announce 500 New Jobs Coming to Rhode Island

In his first jobs announcement since becoming Governor, Governor Dan McKee today announced that Fidelity Investments will create 500 new jobs at their Smithfield, Rhode Island campus over the next few quarters. The 500 new jobs will be part of a new Regional Center for Fidelity’s Personal Investing business.

“I’m thrilled that Fidelity is choosing to expand here in Rhode Island where innovation thrives. This is encouraging and welcomed news as we begin Rhode Island’s economic recovery,” said Governor Dan McKee. “I’m grateful for Fidelity’s contributions to our state, including this commitment to 500 additional jobs over the next few quarters. I look forward to continuing to work together to create opportunities for hardworking Rhode Islanders in the years to come.”

“Fidelity Investments is excited to grow our footprint and expand our existing regional site in Rhode Island,” said Mark Barlow, senior vice president of Personal Investing at Fidelity Investments. “We’re increasing the number of client-facing associates to support not only unprecedented customer growth and engagement, but also our associates who work hard every day to help our clients. Expanding in Rhode Island gives us access to a talented and educated workforce in the Ocean State to fill these positions that are new to this market for us.”

Fidelity Investments currently employs 3,200 people in Rhode Island. The company will begin hiring 500 additional staff immediately and over the next few quarters. Candidates do not need to be a licensed financial professional to be hired. The company is seeking candidates with strong customer-service skills, including those working in industries like hospitality and retail that may have been hit hardest by the pandemic. Rhode Islanders interested in applying for these positions, which include entry-level as well as leadership roles, should visit fidelitycareers.com. 

“Fidelity has been and continues to be an amazing collaborator with our state. They have provided good-paying jobs for our residents and will continue to do so. Today’s announcement will create more opportunities for Rhode Islanders, which is exactly what we need. This is another testament that Rhode Island is open for business. I look forward to the collaborations ahead,” said Lieutenant Governor Sabina Matos.

“Fidelity has been a tremendous partner with the state of Rhode Island, providing thousands of good-paying jobs for our residents. I am extremely pleased with today’s announcement, which expands opportunities for Rhode Islanders as the workforce recovers from the challenges of the pandemic. It shows that our state is a great place to grow and expand a business, and I appreciate Fidelity’s continued investment here,” said Speaker of the House K. Joseph Shekarchi.

“It is great news that Fidelity is announcing the creation of hundreds more quality, entry level jobs in Rhode Island,” said President of the Senate Dominick J. Ruggerio. “This news is especially welcome after the economic turmoil of the past 14 months. Fidelity is an outstanding corporate citizen, and these jobs are great opportunities for Rhode Islanders.”

“The Town of Smithfield continues to value our relationship with one of our best partners, Fidelity Investments. We welcome these 500 new opportunities to Town, working to reignite Rhode Island’s economy as we enter the post pandemic era,” said Smithfield Town Manager Randy Rossi.

“Over the last year Fidelity Investments has grown significantly, earning more than 8.6 million new customers since the start of 2020,” said Rick Metters, vice president of public affairs at Fidelity Investments. “With that, our interactions and engagement with clients have surged and supporting our customers and our associates who help them is a top priority, and Rhode Island will play an important role.”

“We are pleased that Fidelity is deepening its investment in Rhode Island,” said Rhode Island Commerce Secretary Stefan Pryor. “As we continue to reopen our state’s economy, it’s encouraging that one of our largest employers is affirming its commitment to our state – and opening up new opportunities for our workforce. Fidelity Investments has a rich history in Rhode Island, and we’re glad to see this important company build upon that history with new investment.” (From a press release)

1pm Revenue and Caseload Estimating Conference

Twice yearly, in the spring and the fall, the conference principals (the State Budget Officer, Senate Fiscal Advisor and House Fiscal Advisor) must reach a consensus on what the state general revenues and caseload expenses are estimated to be for the current fiscal year and the budget year. The General Assembly and the State Budget Office use these projections to prepare the budget. The principals include State Budget Officer Jonathan Womer; House Fiscal Advisor Sharon Reynolds Ferland; and Senate Fiscal Advisor Stephen H. Whitney.

• Tax Collections – Department of Revenue, Division of Taxation
  • State Tax Administrator Neena Savage

4pm House Committee on State Government and Elections

SCHEDULED FOR CONSIDERATION

• H5741 by Edwards, Kislak, Caldwell, Casimiro, Felix, Henries, Kazarian, Handy, Baginski, Tobon ENTITLED, AN ACT RELATING TO HEALTH AND SAFETY – STATE BUILDING CODE (Requires public building/place of public accommodation to have single-user toilet facility for use by any gender eff. 1/1/22/ new construction/ renovations over 50% value of state/municipal buildings provide for single-user toilet.)
• H5890 (Board of Elections) by Shanley, Ruggiero, Craven, Barros, Amore ENTITLED, AN ACT RELATING TO ELECTIONS – MAIL BALLOTS (Allows the board of elections to begin the certification of mail ballots 20 days prior to election day and require notice of such certification sessions and establishes a new and more comprehensive mail ballot voter signature verification process.)

SCHEDULED FOR HEARING AND/OR CONSIDERATION

• H6274 by McGaw, Cortvriend, Potter, Baginski, Biah, Cardillo, Fenton-Fung, Messier, Chippendale ENTITLED, AN ACT RELATING TO MOTOR AND OTHER VEHICLES – TRANSFER OF VEHICLES (Extends from 20 days to 30 days, the period of time that a newly purchased motor vehicle may be temporarily operated, using the purchaser’s current licenses plates.)

4pm Joint Committee on State Lottery

Agenda

1. Financial Update
2. Sports Betting Update
3. Facilities Update
   A. Tiverton Casino Update
   B. Twin River Casino Update
4. Marketing/Promotions
5. Other Updates
6. Adjournment

4pm Senate Committee on Health & Human Services

SCHEDULED FOR CONSIDERATION

• S0302 by Gallo, Lombardo ENTITLED, AN ACT RELATING TO INSURANCE – ACCIDENT AND SICKNESS INSURANCE POLICIES – STEP THERAPY PROTOCOLS (Requires health insurers that issue prescription drug coverage to use step therapy protocols.)
• H5247 by Amore, Kazarian ENTITLED, AN ACT RELATING TO FOOD AND DRUGS – UNIFORM CONTROLLED SUBSTANCES ACT (Excludes chronic intractable pain from the definition of acute pain management. Prescribes new guidelines for treatment based upon 2016 CDC Guideline for Prescribing Opioids for Chronic Pain.)
• H6014 (Department of Health) by Potter, Caldwell, Baginski, Edwards, Kislak, Morales ENTITLED, AN ACT RELATING TO HEALTH AND SAFETY – OFFICE OF STATE MEDICAL EXAMINERS (Removes the sunset provision on the requirement that the office of state medical examiners be responsible for a multidisciplinary team review of drug related overdose deaths.)

SCHEDULED FOR HEARING AND/OR CONSIDERATION

• S0382 by de la Cruz, Morgan, Paolino, Raptakis ENTITLED, AN ACT RELATING TO BUSINESSES AND PROFESSIONS – MILITARY SPOUSE LICENSURE (Provides issuance of occupational licenses for military members and spouses stationed in Rhode Island.)
• S0385 by Goodwin ENTITLED, AN ACT RELATING TO PUBLIC UTILITIES AND CARRIERS – 911 EMERGENCY TELEPHONE NUMBER ACT (Establishes an emergency telephone system call review and quality improvement and would require at least one 911 system operator trained in telecommunicator cardiopulmonary resuscitation be on duty at all time.)
• S0387 by Quezada, Calkin, Cano ENTITLED, AN ACT RELATING TO BUSINESSES AND PROFESSIONS – PHARMACIES (Increases the state board of pharmacy from nine to 11 members by adding two pharmacy technicians.)
• S0482 by Burke, Archambault, McCaffrey, F Lombardi, Lombardo, Felag, Goodwin, Ruggerio, Paolino, Pearson ENTITLED, AN ACT RELATING TO MILITARY AFFAIRS AND DEFENSE – EMERGENCY VOLUNTEER HEALTH PRACTITIONERS ACT (Provides that volunteer health practitioners from other states be permitted to provide medical/veterinary services and have limited immunity and be treated as if state employees for workers’ compensation purposes during period of declared emergency.)
• S0493 by Euer, Ruggerio, Goodwin, McCaffrey, Murray, Cano, Kallman ENTITLED, AN ACT RELATING TO HEALTH AND SAFETY – THE HOSPITAL CONVERSION ACT (Expands health services council to 24 members and amends hospital conversion act.)
• S0648 by Valverde, DiMario, Miller ENTITLED, AN ACT RELATING TO FOOD AND DRUGS – UNIFORM CONTROLLED SUBSTANCES ACT (Adds medical directors or their designees to those individuals to whom disclosure of information contained in any prescription-drug-database is allowed.)
• S0714 by Miller ENTITLED, AN ACT RELATING TO HEALTH AND SAFETY – RESTROOM ACCESS ACT (Requires retail establishments with three or more employees on the premises without accessible public restroom to allow customers suffering from eligible conditions access to their employee restrooms.)
• S0767 by Pearson, McCaffrey, Gallo, Cano, Miller, Goodwin ENTITLED, AN ACT RELATING TO HUMAN SERVICES – GRADUATE MEDICAL EDUCATION (Allows the EOHHS to use appropriated funds to support graduate medical education programs and research and directs the secretary of EOHHS to determine the appropriate Medicaid payment mechanism in order to make the payments annually.)
• S0829 by Pearson ENTITLED, AN ACT RELATING TO INSURANCE – PHYSICAL THERAPY COPAY (Limits copays, coinsurance or office deductible for services of a physical therapist to the amount authorized for the services of a primary care physician or osteopath.)
• S0860 by F Lombardi ENTITLED, AN ACT RELATING TO HEALTH AND SAFETY – EMERGENCY MEDICAL TRANSPORTATION SERVICES-AMBULANCE SERVICE COORDINATING BOARD (Gives the ambulance service coordinating board approval powers over regulations, protocols, standards, licensing fees and other administrative actions set proposed by the director of health.)

5pm Senate Committee on Finance

SCHEDULED FOR HEARING:

• H6122 (Governor) by Abney ENTITLED, AN ACT MAKING APPROPRIATIONS FOR THE SUPPORT OF THE STATE FOR THE FISCAL YEAR ENDING JUNE 30, 2022

Department of Labor and Training: FY2021 Supplemental and FY2022 Budgets

• Article 3, Section 1: Employer Tax Unit Transfer

Department of Business Regulation: FY2021 Supplemental and FY2022 Budgets

• Article 2, Sections 2 and 3: Examinations and OHIC
• Article 3, Section 2: Risk-based Capital Insurers
• Article 6, Sections 1-3: DBR Fees
• Article 9, Section 1: Engineering Accreditation

SCHEDULED FOR HEARING AND/OR CONSIDERATION

• S0099 by Algiere, de la Cruz, Rogers, Paolino, Morgan ENTITLED, AN ACT RELATING TO TAXATION – BUSINESS CORPORATION TAX (Reduces the minimum corporate tax from $400 to $250 for the year beginning on January 1, 2021, and would abolish the minimum tax for tax years beginning on or after January 1, 2022.)
• S0156 by Felag, Lombardo ENTITLED, AN ACT RELATING TO TAXATION – PERSONAL INCOME TAX (Allows deduction up to $15,000 of taxable portion of retirement income from federal adjusted gross income effective January 1, 2022.)
• S0157 by Felag, Lombardo ENTITLED, AN ACT RELATING TO TAXATION – PERSONAL INCOME TAX (Increases the exemption for retirement income from state income tax from $15k to $20k commencing on January 1, 2022.)
• S0159 by Felag, Gallo, Murray, Raptakis, Lombardo ENTITLED, AN ACT RELATING TO TAXATION – PERSONAL INCOME TAX – MILITARY RETIREMENT (Excludes $25k of eligible military retirement income paid by state federal government to persons 60 years or older effective 2022 from state income tax.)
• S0221 by Felag, Quezada, Euer, DiPalma, Bell ENTITLED, AN ACT RELATING TO TAXATION – PERSONAL INCOME TAX (Increases the state earned-income credit as of January 1, 2022, to 18% of the federal earned-income credit, not to exceed the amount of state income tax.)
• S0295 by Pearson, Seveney, Murray, Cano, Sosnowski, Ciccone, Acosta ENTITLED, AN ACT RELATING TO STATE AFFAIRS AND GOVERNMENT – THE RHODE ISLAND MUNICIPAL INFRASTRUCTURE GRANT PROGRAM (Removes the prohibition on state appropriations to the municipal infrastructure grant program, and authorize the state planning council to evaluate, approve and issue such grants, subject to the appropriations provided to the program.)
• S0326 by Murray, McCaffrey, Goodwin, DiPalma, Felag, Cano, Euer, Lawson, Ciccone, Sosnowski ENTITLED, AN ACT RELATING TO TAXATION – PERSONAL INCOME TAX (Adds one new income tax bracket for purposes of state income taxation.)
• S0327 by Lawson, McCaffrey, Miller, Cano, Quezada, Sosnowski, DiMario, Euer, Murray, Ciccone ENTITLED, AN ACT RELATING TO TAXATION – SUGARY DRINKS TAX (Imposes a tax of .015 cents/per oz on the sale of bottled sugary drinks/syrups/powders from which a sugary drink may be derived with tax collected deposited into the Retail SNAP Incentive Fund effective 1/1/22.)
• S0358 by Ciccone ENTITLED, AN ACT RELATING TO TAXATION – PERSONAL INCOME TAX (Taxpayers requesting an extension of time to pay state taxes must declare the reasonable amount of tax due in a taxable year.)
• S0362 by Mack, Anderson, Acosta, Mendes, Calkin, Bell, Kallman, Murray, Burke, Valverde ENTITLED, AN ACT RELATING TO TAXATION – PERSONAL INCOME TAX (Adds one new income tax bracket for purposes of state income taxation.)
• S0367 by Bell, Mendes, DiMario, Euer, Ciccone, Seveney, Burke, Miller, Kallman, Murray ENTITLED, AN ACT RELATING TO TAXATION – PERSONAL INCOME TAX (Increases the tax rates for individuals, bankruptcy estates, trusts and estates.)
• S0707 by Burke, DiMario, Picard, Lawson ENTITLED, AN ACT RELATING TO TAXATION – PRECEPTORS TAX CREDIT ACT (Allows for a tax credit of $500 for certain nurse practitioners or physicians.)
• S0764 by Algiere, Ruggerio, Goodwin, de la Cruz, McCaffrey, Rogers, Paolino, DiPalma, Archambault, Lombardo ENTITLED, AN ACT RELATING TO TAXATION – PERSONAL INCOME TAX (Excludes from income up to $10,200 of unemployment compensation paid in tax year 2020 for any individual or married couple with an adjusted gross income less than $150k.)