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 Rep. Alex Finkelman, D-Dist. 74, He is a member of the House Finance and Corporation Committees. Among his priorities are affordability and economic competitiveness, and the environment, As a member of the House Finance committee he will also be focused on the state budget. 

Brief biography: Representative Finkelman, 39 (he turns 40 on Feb. 13) was elected to the Rhod​e Island House of Representatives in November 2022. He is married to Denise, and they are the parents of two children, Oliver and Andre.

Finkelman is a graduate of Providence Country Day School in East Providence and the University of Hartford with a degree in Insurance and Fin​ance. Finkelman is owner and president of The Egis Insurance Group, which specializes in insurance, consulting, and employee benefits. He previously served on the Jamestown Zoning Board.

Since his election, he has supported lifting restrictions on investments of insurance corporations, allowing them to grow in Rhode Island; and holding electric and gas companies accountable by increasing transparency in their billing practices..

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State Rep. Alex Finkelman, D – District 73, Jamestown and Middletown. He is a member of the House Finance and Corporations​ Committees,

WUN: How can constituents reach you?

• Telephone: 401-206-1030
• Email: afinkelman@egisgroup.com
• Website: www.alexfinkelman.com

WUN: What do you perceive as the most critical issues facing Rhode Island in 2026:

Affordability continues to be the central challenge for Rhode Islanders. Families and businesses are feeling pressure from rising costs across the board—housing, insurance, and everyday expenses. Meanwhile, Rhode Island faces growing environmental and climate-related risks, particularly in coastal communities, which require long-term planning and responsible investment. Underpinning all of this is the state budget, which must remain balanced and sustainable to ensure the state can meet its obligations without placing additional strain on taxpayers.

WUN: What are your top priorities for the upcoming legislative session?

My focus this session will be on turning those challenges into practical, workable solutions.

First, I will continue to prioritize responsible budgeting. The House of Representatives has a constitutional obligation to pass a balanced budget in a way that reflects fiscal discipline, while protecting essential services, which is critical to the state’s long-term stability.

Second, I am focused on affordability and economic competitiveness, with particular attention to the rising cost of insurance for homeowners and businesses. Insurance premiums have become a real and growing burden, and the state needs to take a closer look at policies that may be driving costs higher and limiting market competition. I have been the sponsor of several reform bills over the past few years and will be re-introducing them, hopeful they will gain body wide support.

Finally, I will continue working on climate and environmental issues in a pragmatic way—supporting policies that strengthen resilience and protect our natural resources, while also recognizing the economic impacts and avoiding unintended consequences.

WUN: What are your plans for the upcoming election?

• I plan to run for reelection to continue representing Jamestown and Middletown.

WUN: Any additional information you would like to share?

I make accessibility a priority and do my best to be responsive to constituent questions and concerns. As both a business owner and a parent raising a family in Rhode Island, I try to bring a practical, real-world perspective to the work I do at the State House.

(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 ending December 31. As of the third quarter, ending in September, Finkelman reported a fund balance of $84,009.)