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.
Ethics & Accountability
Public officials should act in all of our interest, not to line their own pockets. Common Cause is fighting to ensure that all of our leaders are held to high ethical standards.
From city councils to the U.S. Congress and the Supreme Court, the people making decisions that affect our lives and our families need to be held to the highest ethical standards. Common Cause works to ensure that those empowered to act on everyone’s behalf disclose their personal finances, uphold the rule of law, and cannot turn their public service into a personal profit scheme.
What We’re Doing
Your financial support helps us make an impact by holding power accountable and strengthening democracy.
Events
In Person
2024 Champions of Democracy Celebration
Join us for our biggest event of the year, the Champions of Democracy Celebration and Annual Meeting. This year in addition to celebrating our awardees, we will have special remarks by new Common Cause national president Virginia Kase Solomón on the state of our democracy.
The Guild, 461 Main Street, Pawtucket, RI 02860 US
5:30 pm – 8:00 pm EDT
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
News Clip
Commission Appointed to Prep for Potential Constitutional Convention
The commission for the proposed RI Constitution Convention included 4 spots for the public - all filled by former elected officials or State House staffers. The rest of the commission is made up of Democrats and Republicans from both the House and the Senate.
News Clip
DiPalma Introduces Public Records Access Legislation
John Marion's comment on legislation introduced by State Sen. Lou DiPalma that will expand access to public records.
News Clip
State officials will try once again to reform APRA laws
Will recent high-profile issues inspire the legislature to make changes to ARPA this session?
John Marion
Executive Director
Common Cause Rhode Island