Press Release
Common Cause Rhode Island Warns Elections Officials of Voting Rights Act Violations in Primary Election
“Despite being sued by the U.S. Department of Justice, the City of Pawtucket failed its voters during the recent primary election."
Press
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.
News Clip
Want to Keep an Eye on the R.I. General Assembly? There’s an app for that.
Capitol TV has launched an app for mobile devices that allows Rhode Islanders to watch various meetings of the General Assembly, along with specific live hearings.
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Opinion: Standing Up for Transparency
Senator DiPalma and Representative Sherpa are sponsoring legislation to reform the Access to Public Records Act in Rhode Island. This legislation would include limiting the cost of requesting records, requiring explanations for withholding records, and increasing transparency within government agencies.
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R.I. Official says GOP Senate Candidate is spreading “misinformation” about voter data
Republican Representative Patricia Morgan argues that the Election Registration Information Center, used by various states to update and clean up voter rolls, is stealing Rhode Islanders’ information from the DMV and selling it to other private companies. Deputy Secretary of State Rob Rock accused Morgan of spreading “misinformation” to voters ahead of a critical election cycle.
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AG’s office to take over prosecution of misdemeanor charge against RIPTA CEO
The RI Attorney General is set to take over the prosecution of RIPTA CEO Scott Avedisian for a misdemeanor after allegedly leaving the scene of a fender-bender last week.
Press Release
Chief Family Court judge strikes down challenge to magistrate deciding divorce case. What it means.
A Rhode Island Chief Family Court judge allowed magistrates to hear contested divorce cases in the state.
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R.I. Official to Pay $5,000 Ethics Fine for Philadelphia Trip
David Patten will pay $5,000 in ethics commission fines, while James Thorsen will defend himself at a hearing for his actions on a business trip to Philadelphia.
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Former Top Rhode Island Official Ordered to Pay $5,000 Over Infamous Philly Trip. What to Know.
David Patten was fined $5,000 for his actions on the infamous Philadelphia trip. At the same time, James Thorsen is set to head to an adjudicative hearing for violating the Ethics Code on said trip. Governor McKee has also been implicated in ethics complaints of his own in recent months.
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State Ethics investigators to unveil findings from Philly trip probe Tuesday
The RI State Ethics Committee is set to unveil findings from its probe into a Philadelphia business trip by former Governor McKee officials David Patten and James Thorsen.
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These state agencies have come out against expanding access to public records. Here’s why.
The McKee administration and other state agencies have come out against expanding access to public records due to concerns about confidentiality and the number of requests for public records.
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How to get a 33-member advisory panel together? Remote Participation could make it easier.
The Long Term Care Coordinating Council (LTCCC) hopes to gain a special exemption from the state’s Open Meetings Act to conduct their meetings virtually instead of in person.
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Rhode Island Legislation Targets Deepfakes in Elections
State legislators are sponsoring legislation regulating “deepfakes” or fabricated media in any election communications unless it is disclosed that it was created with artificial intelligence (AI). There is concern from the RI ACLU that this could limit free speech under the First Amendment, but the legislation is backed by the think tank Public Citizen.
Press Release
Family Court Magistrates Evade Merit Selection Process
New law subverts will of voters
