Thomas Paolino

Senator Thomas J. Paolino (R-Dist. 17, Lincoln, North Providence, North Smithfield) was first elected to the Senate in November of 2016. He has served as the Senate Deputy Minority Leader since 2021. Sen. Paolino is a current member of the Senate Committee on Finance and the Senate Committee on Education. Previously, he served on the Senate Committee on Health and Human Services and the Senate Committee on Housing and Municipal Government. Sen. Paolino served on the Permanent Joint Committee on State Lottery from 2019 through 2023 and as Secretary for the Finance Committee for the 2021-2022 legislative session. Accountability to Rhode Island taxpayers continues to be a main focus for Senator Paolino. He has advocated for fiscal responsibility, streamlining business regulations, and lowering the tax burden for all Rhode Islanders. Legislation Senator Paolino has introduced or supported includes a line-item veto, an Office of Inspector General, eliminating the car tax, lowering state sales tax, implementing zero-based budgeting, increasing thresholds on estate taxes, eliminating state income tax on social security income, and campaign finance reform. Ensuring Rhode Island ’ s…