With the Rhode Island General Assembly session scheduled to begin on Jan. 6, WhatsUpNewp has reached out to the area’s legislators to learn what they see as the most pressing issues facing Rhode Island in 2026, and legislation they are planning to introduce.
Today, we focus on State Sen. Lou DiPalma, D-Dist. 12, who holds the powerful position of chair of the Senate Finance Committee. DiPalma identified healthcare and affordability as the most critical issues facing the state in 2026 and is also focusing on the state budget (as finance chair), technology, and transparency.
Brief biography: Senator DiPalma, 63, is married to Margaret and they have two children, Kellie and Abigail, and are proud grandparents. He is employed as a Technical Director for Raytheon.
A 1979 graduate of Notre Dame Catholic High School, he earned a B.S. in Computer Engineering from the University of Bridgeport in 1983 and a master’s in computer science from Brown University in 1989.
After serving on the Middletown Town Council from 2004 to 2008, DiPalma was elected to the Rhode Island Senate.
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State Senator Lou DiPalma, D – District 12, Little Compton, Middletown, Newport, Tiverton. Chair Senate Finance Committee; Secretary, Senate Committee on Artificial Intelligence & Emerging Technologies; Member, Senate Committee on Education
WUN: How can constituents reach you?
·Telephone: (401) 847-8540
·Email: sen-dipalma@rilegislature.gov
· Website: Social Media:
o Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/lou.dipalma
o X (Twitter): SenLouDiPalma
o Instagram: SenLouDiPalma
WUN: What do you perceive as the most critical issues facing Rhode Island in 2026?
Healthcare costs/coverage and overall affordability are the most critical issues facing Rhode Island in 2026. Rising premiums — driven by the expiration of enhanced federal tax credits — are expected to sharply increase 2026 insurance costs, pushing some households out of coverage entirely. Additionally, Medicaid and SNAP eligibility changes, tighter federal rules, and funding shifts risk reducing coverage for tens of thousands while increasing burdens on hospitals. With respect to hospitals, the fate of the Roger Williams and Fatima hospitals will be an issue which will remain front and center and will more than likely require state support(s).
With respect to affordability, in addition to the ever-increasing cost of healthcare, the continuing, ever-rising costs of housing and basic sustenance will continue to put increased strains on all Rhode Islanders, especially upon those with limited to modest incomes.
WUN: In the upcoming legislative session what are your top priorities – bills you expect to introduce and/or sponsor? Please provide a brief explanation why each is important.
In the coming 2026 legislative session, as Chair of the Senate Committee on Finance the budget is my highest priority. Over and above the budget, my top legislative priorities for 2026 are:
· Rhode Island’s Open Records Law (aka. Access to Public Records Act (APRA)) – RI’s APRA law was last updated over a decade ago, and quite a bit has been learned, technology employed and general enhancements needed. As U.S. Supreme Court Justice, Louis Brandeis, wrote “… Sunlight is said to be the best of disinfectants; electric light the most efficient policeman … “ When government is transparent and open, the public trusts its government, and when it is not, they don’t. Especially in this day and age of misinformation, we need to do all we can to facilitate an open and transparent government, and it starts at the top, and includes all involved.
· Artificial Intelligence (AI) – With a master’s degree in computer science from Brown University, Secretary of the Senate Committee on AI and Emerging Technologies and member of the National Council of State Legislatures (NCSL) AI, Cyber Security and Data Privacy Task Force I believe we need to ensure AI is employed for the betterment of society and not the converse. To that end I plan to build upon legislation I’ve introduced over the last several years.
· As I have over the last several years, I will be re-introducing legislation, which when enacted, will reduce the cost of prescription medication. The RI Senate has previously passed this much needed legislation.
WUN: What are your plans for the upcoming election?
· Seek higher office – if so, which one: No, not at this time.
· Run for reelection: Yes, I plan to seek re-election to Senate District 12 – Middletown, Little Compton, Tiverton and Newport
(WUN note: Finances are often a key ingredient in any election, providing candidates with the wherewithal to purchase advertising, develop campaign materials, hire staff, and cover other expenses. Campaign finances are required to be reported to the state Board of Elections quarterly. Those funds can only be used for a candidate’s campaign, donated to another candidate for election purposes, or donated to charity. Campaign funds are not permitted to be used for personal expenses. Campaign finance reports are due approximately 30 days after the close of the previous quarter, which means the next filing period is the end of January for the quarter ended December 31. As of the third quarter, ending in September, DiPalma reported a fund balance of $112,697.)