STATEMENT FROM CHAIRMAN JOE POWERS ON HASBRO’S DEPARTURE FROM RHODE ISLAND

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"Today's announcement that Hasbro, a company that has proudly called Rhode Island home since 1923, will move its global headquarters to Massachusetts is not just disappointing, it is devastating," said Rhode Island Republican Party Chairman Joe Powers. "For more than a century, Hasbro has been a cornerstone of our economy and our identity. To see them pack up and leave is a damning indictment of the state of affairs in Rhode Island."

Powers continued, "Let's be clear about why this is happening. Rhode Island has ranked at or near the very bottom in national surveys on business climate, economy, and trust in government. CNBC's most recent rankings put us 46th, an embarrassment for a state with so much potential. Businesses large and small are suffocated by high taxes, endless mandates, and a hostile regulatory environment. The message from Hasbro's decision is loud and clear, Rhode Island is not a place where businesses can thrive."

Turning to the policies coming out of Smith Hill, Powers did not hold back saying, "Instead of addressing these real economic problems, our leaders remain fixated on pushing a so-called 'green agenda' that is not green at all. These projects are killing our waters, harming marine life, and lining the pockets of a select few who benefit politically and financially. They are green only for those pushing the agenda, not for the people of Rhode Island. Meanwhile, our economy continues to stagnate, and now, we have lost one of our most iconic employers."Powers concluded, "This isn't just about Hasbro-it's about every family, every worker, and every small business owner who is paying the price for failed leadership. Rhode Island can either wake up and chart a new course, or we will keep watching more jobs, more opportunity, and more of our future leave us behind."