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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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More than 1,200 ballots recreated on Election Day after printer problems

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More than 1,200 ballots recreated on Election Day after printer problems

More than 1,200 ballots had to be remade by hand by a R.I. Board of Elections employee in the most recent general election, according to records reviewed by Target 12. Elections officials said it’s hard to compare the number to previous years because of a recent change in technology, but they noticed it was a larger number of what they call “remakes” than usual.

Political Scene: New Senate Labor Committee chairman has long ties to labor

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Political Scene: New Senate Labor Committee chairman has long ties to labor

State Sen. Frank Ciccone III — who has held various titles with the Laborers’ International Union of North America, most recently as consultant to Local 808 — is the new chairman of the Senate Labor Committee.

Political Scene: New Senate Labor Committee chairman has long ties to labor

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Political Scene: New Senate Labor Committee chairman has long ties to labor

State Sen. Frank Ciccone III — who has held various titles with the Laborers’ International Union of North America, most recently as consultant to Local 808 — is the new chairman of the Senate Labor Committee.

R.I. congressional delegation not among those declining paychecks during shutdown

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R.I. congressional delegation not among those declining paychecks during shutdown

More than 130 members of Congress have requested that their paychecks be withheld, or committed to donating their pay for the duration of the government shutdown, in solidarity with federal workers, according to a list published by Sinclair Broadcast Group.

To enhance election security, Rhode Island tests a new way to verify election results

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To enhance election security, Rhode Island tests a new way to verify election results

Rhode Island is making good on its promise to road-test risk-limiting election audits, following 2017 passage of legislation by the Rhode Island General Assembly, requiring them. Beginning with the presidential primary in April 2020, Rhode Island will become the second state to require these audits to verify election results.

Nesi’s Notes: Jan. 12

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Nesi’s Notes: Jan. 12

Gina Raimondo will be two weeks into her new term on Tuesday, but her State of the State address that night will mark the real kickoff of her second four years in office. The governor will arrive on the House rostrum in so-so shape politically: the latest quarterly Morning Consult poll gives her a middling 43% job approval rating, around where it's always been, but her double-digit re-election win in November replenished her political capital.

TGIF: Ian Donnis’ Politics/Media Roundup For January 11

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TGIF: Ian Donnis’ Politics/Media Roundup For January 11

The legislative session in Rhode Island is off to a fast start, thanks to a vigorous debate on House rules. There’s a lot more happening, 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.

Rule changes in R.I. House hailed as step forward

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Rule changes in R.I. House hailed as step forward

The rule changes, endorsed 14-3 by the House Rules Committee, would require House leaders to post new legislative language — with some exceptions — for public consumption at least 24 hours before it is voted on by lawmakers.

RI House Committee Approves New 24-Hour Waiting Period To Review Major Changes To Bills; Critics Say Broader Changes Needed

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RI House Committee Approves New 24-Hour Waiting Period To Review Major Changes To Bills; Critics Say Broader Changes Needed

The Rhode Island House Rules Committee approved Thursday a minimum 24-hour waiting period to review significant changes to legislation in House committees. But critics said the Rules Committee failed to go far enough in making more changes to improve the legislative process.

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