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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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“Redraw Rhode Island” kicks-off campaign for an Independent Redistricting Commission

Press Release

“Redraw Rhode Island” kicks-off campaign for an Independent Redistricting Commission

In a gathering at the State Library today, legislators, Common Cause members and other community leaders kicked-off a proposed state constitutional amendment creating an independent redistricting commission to draw new legislative district lines after the 2020 Census.

New Report Details Rhode Island’s Risk-Limiting Audit Tests to Identify Best System for 2020 Election

Press Release

New Report Details Rhode Island’s Risk-Limiting Audit Tests to Identify Best System for 2020 Election

Today, Common Cause, Verified Voting, and The Brennan Center for Justice at NYU Law released a report on Rhode Island’s pilot program to identify the most effective methods to implement the risk-limiting audits (RLA) required by the state for the 2020 election. The three organizations were part of a working group that helped the state design and run the pilots earlier this year.

News Clip

With sponsors such as the NRA and the IGT gaming company, state legislators have traveled to Taiwan, Hawaii, Greece and Colombia as well as destinations throughout the U.S.

R.I. Supreme Court Justice Flaherty appeals ruling that he violated ethics code

News Clip

R.I. Supreme Court Justice Flaherty appeals ruling that he violated ethics code

Rhode Island Supreme Justice Francis X. Flaherty is appealing a ruling that he violated the state Code of Ethics by failing to disclose his role leading a Catholic legal group while ruling on a priest sexual abuse case.

Bonus Q&A: Marion On First Amendment, Campaign Finance, RI Apathy & More

News Clip

Bonus Q&A: Marion On First Amendment, Campaign Finance, RI Apathy & More

Common Cause of RI head John Marion joins Bonus Q&A to discuss the U.S. Supreme Court, how to make RI elections more competitive, what he's watching on campaign finance issues, and much more.

Bill would restore R.I. lawmakers’ ability to post their photos on General Assembly website

News Clip

Bill would restore R.I. lawmakers’ ability to post their photos on General Assembly website

Rhode Island’s legislative leaders are pushing for fast action on a new bill to reinstate a lost perk, to wit: their ability to run photos of themselves and other incumbent lawmakers on the General Assembly website — and official social-media accounts — during election season.

Election officials back constitutional challenge to paperless voting

News Clip

Election officials back constitutional challenge to paperless voting

The court battle over South Carolina election security is heating up. A group of citizens and its allies are warning that paperless voting machines aren’t safe from foreign interference.

Lt. Gov. McKee: ‘I made a mistake’ by not disclosing Asia trip

News Clip

Lt. Gov. McKee: ‘I made a mistake’ by not disclosing Asia trip

Lt. Gov. Dan McKee acknowledged Thursday he failed to report an overseas trip to the Rhode Island Ethics Commission until Target 12 inquired about his travels, but insisted his visits to Asia will pay dividends for the state.

Firefighter unions have spent liberally on R.I. legislative races

News Clip

Firefighter unions have spent liberally on R.I. legislative races

Few interest groups have been more generous to Rhode Island lawmakers than the firefighters’ lobby, which is pushing controversial overtime legislation up for a House vote on Tuesday, in a state that regularly tops the national charts on the cost of fire protection.

First Amendment: Up to the public to shine a light on government

News Clip

First Amendment: Up to the public to shine a light on government

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.”

Rep. Cicilline ’83 adds to national voter registration bill

News Clip

Rep. Cicilline ’83 adds to national voter registration bill

The U.S. House of Representatives passed sweeping voting reform legislation last month with the “For the People Act,” which would institute voting reforms at the federal level.

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