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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 Senate bill would consolidate power in president’s hands

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State Senate bill would consolidate power in president’s hands

At least one senator denounced the proposed changes, and Common Cause called them ‘disappointing.’ 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.

Editorial: Put the veto on the ballot

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Editorial: Put the veto on the ballot

It’s time for the cynicism and the games to end. Gov. Gina Raimondo and the General Assembly should use their clout this year to make sure a strong line-item veto appears on the 2020 ballot. As we have long noted, this reform currently benefits 44 states. Rhode Island is one of only six that refuses to provide this check on corruption. A 2016 poll by Common Cause Rhode Island found that 66 percent of voters support the line-item veto.

Legislative Jobs For District 15 Voters Have Multiplied During Mattiello’s Time As RI Speaker

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Legislative Jobs For District 15 Voters Have Multiplied During Mattiello’s Time As RI Speaker

The number of patronage jobs from House Speaker Nicholas Mattiello’s Cranston district has almost tripled during Mattiello’s time as speaker. Patronage jobs are one of the tools that a legislative leader like Mattiello can use to reinforce his own political power at the Statehouse.

Nesi’s Notes: Feb. 2

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Nesi’s Notes: Feb. 2

Congressman Cicilline is holding out hope that the 2020 Census will turn up enough Rhode Islanders to hold onto one of the state's two U.S. House seats. "I actually don't think it's settled," Cicilline said on this week's Newsmakers. While that's true -- and a famously aggressive effort by Massachusetts in 2000 helped the Bay State keep a 10th House seat -- it's safe to say most other observers sound far more pessimistic.

All The Reasons The 2020 Census Is Shaping Up To Be A Disaster

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All The Reasons The 2020 Census Is Shaping Up To Be A Disaster

John Marion says Rhode Island represents the “ghost of Christmas future.” Last spring, the Ocean State was home to the first and only trial run for the 2020 census, which was conducted in 637,000-strong, immigrant-heavy Providence County.

TGIF: Ian Donnis’ Politics/Media Roundup For February 1

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TGIF: Ian Donnis’ Politics/Media Roundup For February 1

The early phase of Rhode Island’s legislative session remains busy, with scores of people coming to the Statehouse to sound off on one of the nation’s most divisive issues. That’s part of what we’re looking at, so thanks for stopping by for my weekly column. As usual, your tips and comments are welcome, and you can follow me through the week on the twitters. Here we go.

Amid controversy, Senate confirms 3 to lifetime judgeships

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Amid controversy, Senate confirms 3 to lifetime judgeships

At issue is the governor’s and Senate’s refusal to make public key documents in the nomination packages the Senate received for each of the three candidates, Richard Merola, Keith Cardoza and Susan Pepin Fay

Why States Should Be Watching Rhode Island’s Election Audit Pilots

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Why States Should Be Watching Rhode Island’s Election Audit Pilots

Rhode Island is on pace to become the second state to use risk-limiting election audits, beginning with the presidential primary in 2020, having conducted three trial runs earlier this month. These audits—essentially a check to ensure votes are being counted correctly—limit the risk a wrong election result is certified, and Colorado performed the first in November 2017.

Mayor Elorza secured $5K donation from school bus company with big city contract

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Mayor Elorza secured $5K donation from school bus company with big city contract

The private transportation company at the center of an 11-day bus driver strike that left thousands of Providence children without rides to and from school in October donated $5,000 to Mayor Jorge Elorza’s inauguration and travel fund earlier this month, Target 12 has learned.

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