Question 4: Cultural Economy
Rhode Island · State bond question · on the November 3, 2026 ballot. The ballot wording, in the state’s own words, each read the same way for rhetorical techniques. We don’t recommend a vote.
On the ballot
no rhetorical technique found
4. CULTURAL ECONOMY - $50,000,000 To provide funding for cultural economy efforts, to be allocated as follows:
a. State History Center - $45,000,000
b. State Preservation Grants Program - $5,000,000
From vote.sos.ri.gov. Checked 2026-10-20. Confirm with your official ballot.
The Secretary of State's 2026 Voter Information Handbook prints an explanation and purpose, borrowing costs and the effect of an Approve/Reject vote for each question, but no arguments for or against.
Who’s behind it
Party positions: Rhode Island Democratic Party: No position published · Rhode Island Republican Party: No position published
Committees registered to support or oppose Question 4, and what they reported to Rhode Island Board of Elections - Campaign Finance Electronic Reporting & Tracking System (ERTS) public site, scanned CF-8 filings. Checked 2026-10-21.
Before comparing the sides: each committee’s figures come from its own latest report, so they can cover different dates. Some committees work on more than one measure or other campaigns, and their totals include all of it. A side with no registered committee can still have supporters. How much a side raised says nothing about whether the measure is a good idea.
Supporting
Coalition to Preserve RI's History
Ballot measure committee
Raised $31,000 · spent $25,000 · as reported through Oct 19, 2026
Largest contributors as filed:
- BuildRI · $25,000
Other - RI AFL-CIO · $5,000
Labor union - Matthew A. Lopes · $1,000 · individual
BuildRI
Other
Raised $90,000 · spent $90,000 · as reported through Oct 16, 2026
Largest contributors as filed:
- Build New England · $25,000
Other - RI Associated General Contractors · $20,000
Trade or professional association - BuildRI · $11,000
Other - National Electrical Contractors Association - Rhode Island Chapter · $9,000
Trade or professional association - Iron Workers Union Local 37 · $7,500
Labor union
This committee is registered for more than one measure; these are its whole totals, which its filings don’t divide by measure.
Opposing
No registered committee opposing Question 4 found as of 2026-10-21.
A rhetorical technique is about wording, not about whether a measure is a good idea or an argument is true. Ballot wording is written under each state’s own rules, and official arguments by the people the state names. All Rhode Island measures →