News Clips

Speaking to me on the floor of the Rhode Island House of Representatives ahead of the House Committee on Rules vote on 5037A, the chair of the committee, Representative Arthur Corvese (Democrat, District 55, North Providence), told me that “I’m comfortable with [the changes to the bill].” He added, “Small steps.”

Executive Director of Common Cause Rhode Island, John Marion, joined Dan to discuss the reform caucus and proposed changes to the House rules.

Lawmakers and members of the public packed the usually sleepy House Rules Committee on Tuesday in a last-ditch effort to convince Speaker Nicholas Mattiello and his allies to open up the legislative process.

A group of citizens and ‘Reform Democrats’ urged the House Rules Committee Tuesday night to make broader changes to the rules governing the Rhode Island House of Representatives for the next two years. But the House Rules Committee could approve rules as soon as Thursday that don’t address most of the differences sought by critics.

More than a dozen Rhode Island House Democrats who call themselves the "Reform Caucus" put forward a set of changes Wednesday they say will open up the legislative process and help them better serve their constituents.

A group of House Democrats opposed to Speaker Nicholas Mattiello’s reign on Tuesday proposed changes to the legislative process they hope will disperse some of the power that has concentrated in the speaker’s office over the years back to rank and file lawmakers.