The Williams Institute

This analysis estimates the impact on Rhode Island’s state budget of introducing marriage rights for same-sex couples. Using the best data available, we estimate that a measure recognizing marriage between same-sex partners will garner the State $1.2 million in 2010 dollars over the three years following the measure. The benefits accrued will change every year, as the number of married same-sex couples each year will change. The State will gain approximately $358,000 in the first year after offering these rights (Year 1), $416,000 in the second year (Year 2), and $421,000 in the third year (Year 3). This net impact will be the result of savings in expenditures on state means-tested public benefit programs and an increase in state marriage license fees and income and sales tax revenue.