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Ethics Commission Adopts Major Reform to Close the Lobbyist Loophole

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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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State Senator proposes reforms to voting, campaigning accessibility

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State Senator proposes reforms to voting, campaigning accessibility

State Senator Gayle Goldin (D-Providence) sponsored five bills proposing various reforms to the way Rhode Island voters and candidates participate in the electoral process.

Meltdown in RI House over Black History Month speech

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Meltdown in RI House over Black History Month speech

An extemporaneous speech Tuesday afternoon about Black History Month devolved into a tense shouting match on the Rhode Island House floor involving the deputy speaker and multiple lawmakers of color.

R.I. Supreme Court justice violated state ethics code, board finds

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R.I. Supreme Court justice violated state ethics code, board finds

Rhode Island Supreme Court Justice Francis X. Flaherty said it never crossed his mind to mention he was president of the St. Thomas More Society of Rhode Island on his annual state financial disclosure form, even while he was on the bench for an appeal of a priest sexual abuse case.

Mayoral appointment of second cousin is not nepotism in RI

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Mayoral appointment of second cousin is not nepotism in RI

The Rhode Island Code of Ethics restricts government administrators from hiring or appointing nearly four dozen branches of their family trees, including grandfather-in-law, step-nephew, and uncle-in-law, but for blood-relatives, the line was drawn right before their cousin's children.

Committee Begins Work To Ensure Accurate 2020 Census Count

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Committee Begins Work To Ensure Accurate 2020 Census Count

State leaders are worried Rhode Island will be undercounted in the 2020 Census. A group of volunteers, including elected officials, policy makers, activists, and members of the private sector are trying to change that.

EP mayor’s office says ‘misunderstanding’ caused police to withhold info

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EP mayor’s office says ‘misunderstanding’ caused police to withhold info

East Providence Mayor Bob DaSilva's aides said Tuesday there had been a "misunderstanding" between his office and the city police department over whether cops need to go through them before releasing information, and that no changes will be made for now.

Dueling bills call for early voting in Rhode Island

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Dueling bills call for early voting in Rhode Island

Rhode Island lawmakers this year will likely be confronted with two competing proposals to make it easier to vote before Election Day, as state elections officials warn of possible calamity if laws are not changed before 2020.

Political donations by strip-club industry made in lobbying firm’s name

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Political donations by strip-club industry made in lobbying firm’s name

Donors to Gov. Gina Raimondo and House Speaker Nicholas Mattiello listed Goldberg Law Offices as employer instead of the Foxy Lady and other clubs. Mysterious errors in campaign finance records concealed the source of thousands of dollars in political donations from the Providence strip-club industry to Gov. Gina Raimondo and House Speaker Nicholas Mattiello.

State Senate bill would consolidate power in president’s hands

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State Senate bill would consolidate power in president’s hands

Amid an uptick in member dissent, Senate leaders are proposing changes to its rules that would enshrine longstanding customs, consolidate power in the hands of the Senate president and prevent a filibuster from ever happening in Rhode Island again.

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