Campaign
Access to Public Records
A transparent government with accessible, affordable public records is important to maintaining a free and fair democracy.
Anti-Corruption & Accountability: Working For The People
We deserve a government that is as honest and hardworking as the people it represents.
For government to serve the people, it has to be accountable to the people and no one else. But Supreme Court rulings like Citizens United have let billionaires and special interests buy unlimited influence, so they can get their way at the rest of our expense.
Common Cause is the leading watchdog group calling out corruption where we see it and passing laws that put power in the hands of everyday people.
That means demanding common-sense limits on money in politics, transparency into who’s funding lobbying and campaigns, strong rules to stop government corruption, and small-dollar public financing to give ordinary people a fighting chance against Big Money.
What We’re Doing
Campaign
Independent Ethics Commission
Rhode Island has one of the strongest Ethics Commissions in the United States—but there's still work to do to improve our Code of Ethics.
Transparency in Political Spending Act
Demystifying Democracy
An Educational Series brought to you by Common Cause Rhode Island Education Fund
Judicial Reform & Merit Selection
We've worked to establish an open system for merit selection of state judges.
Your financial support helps us make an impact by holding power accountable and strengthening democracy.
Updates
Blog Post
Don’t Rush the Rules!
After every election, the Rhode Island House and Senate set their rules. Those rules determine everything from when a bill can be introduced, to how a legislator can cast their vote. Over the course of decades in the House of Representatives, those rules have been used to consolidate power in the hands of the Speaker.
Press
Press Release
Ethics Commission Adopts Major Reform to Close the Lobbyist Loophole
Today the Rhode Island Ethics Commission voted to amend the Code of Ethics to close a loophole that allows public officials and employees to take unlimited gifts from lobbyists. The Commission did this at the request of Common Cause Rhode Island which filed a petition to close the loophole. This is the first time since 2012 that the Commission has voted to strengthen the state’s ethics laws.
Press Release
Watchdog Group Supports Tougher Gift Rules for Elected Reps
Today, the Rhode Island Ethics Commission began the process to strengthen the state’s “gift rule” after Common Cause Rhode Island’s advocacy in 2024.
Press Release
Common Cause Rhode Island Files Complaint in Contract Scandal
“The investigation into how the ILO Group was awarded a state contract exposed politics at its worst including a procurement process full of back-scratching."
