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Ethics Commission Adopts Major Reform to Close the Lobbyist Loophole

Press Release

Ethics Commission Adopts Major Reform to Close the Lobbyist Loophole

September 30, 2025

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 officials will try once again to reform APRA laws

News Clip

State officials will try once again to reform APRA laws

Will recent high-profile issues inspire the legislature to make changes to ARPA this session?

March 14, 2024

Opinion: The bridge Rhode Island has come to: Reforming the Access to Public Records Act

News Clip

Opinion: The bridge Rhode Island has come to: Reforming the Access to Public Records Act

The public demands better accountability from government officials. Thankfully, two lawmakers have introduced bills to reinforce the public’s right to know.

March 14, 2024

Rhode Island was once last in region on public records access. It’s still playing catchup

News Clip

Rhode Island was once last in region on public records access. It’s still playing catchup

A strong public records law, Marion said, “gives us a shot to see what’s going on, and potentially fix it.”

March 12, 2024

Rhode Island Commerce board doesn’t stream or record its meetings. And it’s not alone.

News Clip

Rhode Island Commerce board doesn’t stream or record its meetings. And it’s not alone.

“It’s 2024. It’s really not that big of a burden for public bodies with large budgets.”

March 12, 2024

R.I. legislation targets deepfakes in elections

News Clip

R.I. legislation targets deepfakes in elections

March 12, 2024

The customs, quirks and unspoken rules that really decide how bills become law in RI

News Clip

The customs, quirks and unspoken rules that really decide how bills become law in RI

John Marion, executive director of Common Cause Rhode Island, spoke with the Providence Journal about how a bill becomes law in Rhode Island

March 4, 2024

A first for upcoming R.I. presidential preference primary: 17-year-old voters

News Clip

A first for upcoming R.I. presidential preference primary: 17-year-old voters

A new state law approved in June 2023 lets 17-year-olds vote in primaries as long as they will be 18 by the time of the general election.

February 19, 2024

Access to public records was a problem in the bridge shutdown. Will that help reforms pass?

News Clip

Access to public records was a problem in the bridge shutdown. Will that help reforms pass?

Could interest in what happened to the Washington Bridge be a catalyst for changes to state open-records law that make it easier for the public to find out what state and local governments are doing?

February 9, 2024

Advocates, lawmakers outline changes to strengthen, clarify Rhode Island’s open records law

News Clip

Advocates, lawmakers outline changes to strengthen, clarify Rhode Island’s open records law

"Washington Bridge crisis might be the best thing to happen to public records reform in the state."

February 8, 2024

Lawmakers say it’s time to overhaul R.I. public records law

News Clip

Lawmakers say it’s time to overhaul R.I. public records law

The Boston Globe covers the Let RI Vote Coalition's Same Day Voter Registration.

February 8, 2024

Should magistrates oversee contested divorce cases? Why Common Cause RI is objecting.

News Clip

Should magistrates oversee contested divorce cases? Why Common Cause RI is objecting.

“If Family Court magistrates are allowed to conduct trials, they should be chosen in the same manner that Family Court judges are selected – through the Merit Selection process."

February 5, 2024

Same-Day Voter Registration campaign seeks to increase voting access in R.I.

News Clip

Same-Day Voter Registration campaign seeks to increase voting access in R.I.

Rhode Island's 30-day voter registration deadline is "one of the last remaining large, structural barriers to increased participation," says Marion.

February 3, 2024

Demystifying Democracy

Press

Ethics Commission Adopts Major Reform to Close the Lobbyist Loophole

Media Contacts

John Marion

State officials will try once again to reform APRA laws

Opinion: The bridge Rhode Island has come to: Reforming the Access to Public Records Act

Rhode Island was once last in region on public records access. It’s still playing catchup

Rhode Island Commerce board doesn’t stream or record its meetings. And it’s not alone.

R.I. legislation targets deepfakes in elections

The customs, quirks and unspoken rules that really decide how bills become law in RI

A first for upcoming R.I. presidential preference primary: 17-year-old voters

Access to public records was a problem in the bridge shutdown. Will that help reforms pass?

Advocates, lawmakers outline changes to strengthen, clarify Rhode Island’s open records law

Lawmakers say it’s time to overhaul R.I. public records law

Should magistrates oversee contested divorce cases? Why Common Cause RI is objecting.

Same-Day Voter Registration campaign seeks to increase voting access in R.I.

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

Ethics Commission Adopts Major Reform to Close the Lobbyist Loophole﻿

Media Contacts

John Marion

State officials will try once again to reform APRA laws

Opinion: The bridge Rhode Island has come to: Reforming the Access to Public Records Act

Rhode Island was once last in region on public records access. It’s still playing catchup

Rhode Island Commerce board doesn’t stream or record its meetings. And it’s not alone.

R.I. legislation targets deepfakes in elections

The customs, quirks and unspoken rules that really decide how bills become law in RI

A first for upcoming R.I. presidential preference primary: 17-year-old voters

Access to public records was a problem in the bridge shutdown. Will that help reforms pass?

Advocates, lawmakers outline changes to strengthen, clarify Rhode Island’s open records law

Lawmakers say it’s time to overhaul R.I. public records law

Should magistrates oversee contested divorce cases? Why Common Cause RI is objecting.

Same-Day Voter Registration campaign seeks to increase voting access in R.I.

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

Common Cause is fighting to make a democracy that works for everyone.

Ethics Commission Adopts Major Reform to Close the Lobbyist Loophole