News Clips

Gov. Gina Raimondo and Rep. Patricia Morgan, who is challenging Cranston Mayor Allan Fung for the Republican nomination for governor, both plan to file complaints with the state Board of Elections, alleging that Fung’s free use of office space at Cranston’s Chapel View amounts to an illegal campaign contribution from the Carpionato Corp. Common Cause Rhode Island has also filed a complaint.

The 38 Studios debacle might not have produced a constitutional crisis or a legal battle (over the Nixon White House tapes) that went all the way to the Supreme Court of the United States. But Curt Schilling’s ill-fated video-game venture certainly produced a monumental crisis here in Rhode Island

Those who hoped the General Assembly would finally heed the public’s wishes, and place a strong line-item veto on this November’s ballot, cannot feel encouraged by the antics at the State House. A commission selected by legislators to look into the matter seems clearly antagonistic to the whole idea. As TV’s Gomer Pyle used to say, “Surprise, surprise!”

Environment leaders are uniting against a potential wood-burning power plant as accusations of political pay to play intensify. John Marion, executive director of Common Cause Rhode Island, was the only non-environmental speaker at a May 22 rally outside the Statehouse.

To boost participation in the 2018 Census test that’s taking place in Providence County, Common Cause is partnering with Central Falls to host a “Test Run” through the city’s streets on June 2. “We’re doing this for two reasons,” said John Marion, executive director of Common Cause Rhode Island, which promotes transparent and effective government. “First, is the lack of awareness of the test right now and the fact that the Census Bureau has effectively zero budget devoted to promoting awareness.

In her first public remarks on state legislation that would extend a key renewable energy incentive to the burning of wood waste to generate electricity, Gov. Gina Raimondo on Tuesday acknowledged environmental groups’ opposition to the measure but refrained from taking a position herself.