Search

Menu

Close

Press

Featured Press
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.

Filters

261 Results

through

Reset Filters

Close

Filters

261 Results

through

Reset Filters

Raimondo, Morgan to file elections complaints over Fung’s free use of campaign office

News Clip

Raimondo, Morgan to file elections complaints over Fung’s free use of campaign office

Gov. Gina Raimondo and Rep. Patricia Morgan, who is challenging Cranston Mayor Allan Fung for the Republican nomination for governor, both plan to file complaints with the state Board of Elections, alleging that Fung’s free use of office space at Cranston’s Chapel View amounts to an illegal campaign contribution from the Carpionato Corp. Common Cause Rhode Island has also filed a complaint.

First Amendment: 38 Studios debacle is R.I.’s Watergate

News Clip

First Amendment: 38 Studios debacle is R.I.’s Watergate

The 38 Studios debacle might not have produced a constitutional crisis or a legal battle (over the Nixon White House tapes) that went all the way to the Supreme Court of the United States. But Curt Schilling’s ill-fated video-game venture certainly produced a monumental crisis here in Rhode Island

Editorial: Insiders against a line-item veto

News Clip

Editorial: Insiders against a line-item veto

Those who hoped the General Assembly would finally heed the public’s wishes, and place a strong line-item veto on this November’s ballot, cannot feel encouraged by the antics at the State House. A commission selected by legislators to look into the matter seems clearly antagonistic to the whole idea. As TV’s Gomer Pyle used to say, “Surprise, surprise!”

Opposition Accuses Biomass Developer of Pay to Play

News Clip

Opposition Accuses Biomass Developer of Pay to Play

Environment leaders are uniting against a potential wood-burning power plant as accusations of political pay to play intensify. John Marion, executive director of Common Cause Rhode Island, was the only non-environmental speaker at a May 22 rally outside the Statehouse.

‘Test Run’ on Central Falls streets will promote 2018 count

News Clip

‘Test Run’ on Central Falls streets will promote 2018 count

To boost participation in the 2018 Census test that’s taking place in Providence County, Common Cause is partnering with Central Falls to host a “Test Run” through the city’s streets on June 2. “We’re doing this for two reasons,” said John Marion, executive director of Common Cause Rhode Island, which promotes transparent and effective government. “First, is the lack of awareness of the test right now and the fact that the Census Bureau has effectively zero budget devoted to promoting awareness.

Activists rally against bill that would allow energy incentives for biomass

News Clip

Activists rally against bill that would allow energy incentives for biomass

In her first public remarks on state legislation that would extend a key renewable energy incentive to the burning of wood waste to generate electricity, Gov. Gina Raimondo on Tuesday acknowledged environmental groups’ opposition to the measure but refrained from taking a position herself.

Bill would allow hiring of multiple District Court magistrates in R.I.

News Clip

Bill would allow hiring of multiple District Court magistrates in R.I.

A year ago, state lawmakers approved the appointment of a former state representative, the House speaker’s legal counsel and a legal adviser to the governor with family ties to the Senate leadership and the Laborers International Union to top-paid posts in the state courts, in which they get to wear the same black robes as judges without having to go through the same screening.

Editorial: Please show up and speak out

News Clip

Editorial: Please show up and speak out

Rhode Island General Assembly hearings must be announced at least 48 hours ahead of time, which is supposed to give the public a heads up. On Monday afternoon, one legislative commission barely beat that deadline with an announcement it would take testimony on the line-item veto at 3 p.m. on Wednesday.

TGIF: 20 Things To Know About Rhode Island Politics & Media

News Clip

TGIF: 20 Things To Know About Rhode Island Politics & Media

Campaign season continues to heat up, with the end-of-June filing deadline drawing ever closer. 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.

Close

    • Close

    Hello! It looks like you're joining us from {state}.

    Want to see what's happening in your state?

    Go to Common Cause {state}