News Clips

John Marion talks about the benefits of debates in the lead up to this September's special election.

Rhode Island celebrated “Sunshine Week” recently, but when it comes to open government in Rhode Island these days, the more accurate description might be “Sunshine: Weak.”

Gov. Gina Raimondo and Cranston Mayor Allan Fung, the Democratic and Republican front-runners in the R.I. governor’s race, have so far passed on invitations to debate their opponents before the Sept. 12 primary, marking a major departure from prior campaigns, when candidates hit the stage repeatedly.

Soon Rhode Islanders will be able to examine the financial disclosures of appointed and elected officials from the comfort of their couches. The state Ethics Commission on Tuesday agreed to allow Executive Director Jason Gramitt to proceed with an initiative to put the annual financial disclosure statements of more than 4,000 officials and candidates online.

The 2018 legislative session that began on a wintry day in January ended just before midnight on Saturday after a daylong flurry of votes on scores of bills still in play right up until the very last moment.