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Ethics Commission Adopts Major Reform to Close the Lobbyist Loophole

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.

Media Contacts

John Marion

Executive Director, Rhode Island
jmarion@commoncause.org
401-861-2322

Common Cause Rhode Island frequently provides commentary on democracy reform issues. To talk with John Marion please reach out using the contact information above.

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Good-government advocates fault state’s refusal to release RISP misconduct records

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Good-government advocates fault state’s refusal to release RISP misconduct records

Transparency experts criticize Rhode Island Attorney General Peter F. Neronha’s office's decision to deny an Access to Public Records request filed by the Providence Journal for documents detailing a former Rhode Island State Police lieutenant colonel’s alleged dishonesty.

Common Cause Rhode Island Reminds Voters “Election Day is not Results Day”

Press Release

Common Cause Rhode Island Reminds Voters “Election Day is not Results Day”

Rhode Island voters have until 8 p.m. tonight to cast their ballot in person or by mail in the 2022 midterm election. As voters head to the polls, Common Cause Rhode Island is reminding voters that it may take longer than Election Day for officials to finalize results.

Governor McKee signs Let RI Vote Act into law

Press Release

Governor McKee signs Let RI Vote Act into law

Today, Rhode Island Governor Daniel McKee signed the Let RI Vote Act into law. The changes will be in effect for the 2022 election.

Rhode Island Expands Voter Access as Other States Pass Anti-Voting Laws

Press Release

Rhode Island Expands Voter Access as Other States Pass Anti-Voting Laws

"Passage of The Let RI Vote Act is a watershed moment for voting rights in Rhode Island. This is the culmination of years of hard work by dozens of organizations and thousands of Rhode Islanders."

Rhode Island’s Political Spending Transparency Law Survives Supreme Court Challenge

Press Release

Rhode Island’s Political Spending Transparency Law Survives Supreme Court Challenge

The state’s groundbreaking 2012 law was the state’s response to the 2010 Citizens United decision. It requires groups spending to influence Rhode Island elections, independent of the candidates themselves, to report information about their donors who funded the advertising.

Save The Bay, ACLU of RI, RISSA and Common Cause RI file “Friend of the Court” Brief in Support of Overturning Ruling Allowing Expansion of Controversial Block Island Marina

Press Release

Save The Bay, ACLU of RI, RISSA and Common Cause RI file “Friend of the Court” Brief in Support of Overturning Ruling Allowing Expansion of Controversial Block Island Marina

The brief claims the court disregarded compliance with various critical environmental regulations and standards, including those requiring public involvement.

Grassroots Coalition Calls on Rhode Island Leaders to Eliminate Prison Gerrymandering

Press Release

Grassroots Coalition Calls on Rhode Island Leaders to Eliminate Prison Gerrymandering

Today, more than 20 statewide organizations sent a letter to the members of Rhode Island’s Special Committee on Reapportionment, urging them to end the harmful practice of prison gerrymandering. With a single vote, the committee can immediately enact this change so the data can be updated before drawing new district maps.

Open Government Coalition Calls for Return of Online Meetings

Press Release

Open Government Coalition Calls for Return of Online Meetings

ACCESS/RI, a coalition of groups working for open government in Rhode Island, sent a letter to Governor Daniel McKee urging him to issue an executive order that would allow public bodies to once again hold online meetings and require public bodies to provide remote access for members of the public. The coalition made the request in light of the current wave of infections caused by the Delta variant of Covid-19.

Rhode Island’s Political Spending Transparency Law Upheld by Federal Appeals Court

Press Release

Rhode Island’s Political Spending Transparency Law Upheld by Federal Appeals Court

Rhode Island’s political spending transparency rules have been upheld by a federal appeals court, which held that “a well-informed electorate is as vital to the survival of a democracy as air is to the survival of human life.”

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