State of Rhode Island secondary Archives: on Government Reform


Allan Fung: Internal department to audit fraud, waste and corruption

Allan believes that our government should be held accountable for every taxpayer dollar spent. As Governor, Allan will work to eliminate fraud, waste and corruption by creating an Office of the Inspector General which will be responsible for conducting investigations into agencies in the executive branch. This office will also provide recommendations, conduct policy analysis, and provide training to the agencies that need it.
Source: 2018 Rhode Island governor Campaign website AllanFung.com Sep 1, 2018

Allen Waters: Supports amendment to set limits on campaign finance

To preserve our democratic Republic and the suffocating grip of concentrated big-money, I support the 28th Amendment (H.J. Res. 2) in Congress to set reasonable limits on the raising and spending of money by candidates and others to influence elections.
Source: 2020 Rhode Island Senate campaign website AllenRWaters.com Jun 17, 2020

Ashley Kalus: Attract business by lowering taxes, cutting red tape

We cannot continue down the same path we have for the last 80 years. The only way to move this state forward is by fostering an economic climate that attracts businesses and creates high-paying jobs, and it starts by lowering taxes, cutting red tape, and ensuring we have an educated workforce. If we take these steps and leverage our assets, we will create a competitive environment that makes Rhode Island the most affordable place to live, work, and raise a family.
Source: Press release on 2022 Rhode Island Governor campaign website Jul 13, 2022

Bob Flanders: Require disclosure for contributions to super PACs

Q: Do you support the regulation of indirect campaign contributions from corporations and unions?

A: Yes. I support disclosure laws to identify contributors to Super PACs.

Source: Rhode Island VoteSmart 2018 Political Courage Test Nov 1, 2018

Bob Flanders: Let out-of-state attorneys handle state ethics cases

On March 1, 2001, the Court issued an order, approved 2-1, that denied a "pro hac vice" motion. [which means, "for this particular occasion," and in this instance was used to have an out of state attorney practice law in R.I. to help with a case uncovering misconduct in the R.I. Ethics Commission. Judge Flanders wrote the following dissent]:

"I would have granted the pro hac vice motion because the moving party, Attorney Small, satisfied the conditions established by our rule for admission, one of which is that the motion should be granted "for good cause shown." Here, the Ethics Commission established good cause by recounting the various problems it had experienced in attempting to retain qualified R.I. attorneys to handle ethics investigations. The problems referenced by the commission in obtaining qualified and non-conflicted local counsel to handle this sensitive investigation were legitimate and established good cause for it to retain a qualified, nonresident attorney."

Source: Caught.net "The Pro Se Way" on 2018 Rhode Island Senate race Jun 15, 2001

Bob Flanders: Disallow legislators from serving on Lottery Commission

In a separation of powers case Flanders would have declared the state law that permits the legislature to both appoint and serve on the Lottery Commission unconstitutional. Flanders upheld the "tripartite division of powers" of both the U.S. and Rhode Island Constitution.

Justice Flanders upheld that both Constitutions include "limitations" on the powers of the legislative branch. Flanders upheld that both Constitutions grant the executive--the governor in Rhode Island, the president in Washington--at least some power over how the laws passed by the legislature are executed.

Flanders ruled that, "the people of Rhode Island will likely be plunged into a long dark age of subjugation to unchecked, unbalanced and unlimited governmental powers exercised by controlling members and subparts of the legislature--notwithstanding a State Constitution that was enacted to prevent such a catastrophe from ever occurring."

Source: Caught.net "The Pro Se Way" on 2018 Rhode Island Senate race Jun 15, 2001

Bobby Nardolillo: Shift elections to Saturday

Nardolillo says he has lost votes in the past because supporters were too busy working to vote. He supports holding a vote on one weekend day, on Saturday, because two days would be more expensive and he also believes Sunday is for family and for religious reflection.
Source: Providence Journal on 2018 Rhode Island Senate race Sep 22, 2017

Dan McKee: RI Equity Council meetings should not be open to the public

Should Rhode Island Equity Council meetings be secret? The Equity Council serves an important function: ensuring that the state's COVID-19 strategies address the specific needs of the communities most impacted by the pandemic. But a reporter was recently prevented from watching the Equity Council meeting via Zoom, and a spokeswoman for Governor Daniel McKee told a reporter, "These meetings have not been open to the public." So the reporter filed a complaint alleging a violation of the Open Meetings Act.

"I think it should be open to the public. While it doesn't have any authority to implement or execute on ideas, the Equity Council ultimately serves as a liaison for the community voice. Without transparency, there could be a disconnect between what's advised on the council and what the community wants," Mu&?ntilde;oz said, "The Equity Council is the only lens the community has into what the administration is doing. If this is not open to the public, it kind of defeats the purpose of it."

Source: Boston Globe on 2022 Rhode Island Gubernatorial race May 28, 2021

Dan McKee: Vetoed state short-term rental regulations as burdensome

[On AirBnB bill} "I cannot support this bill because it will create additional burden for property owners. Short-term rental concerns, like other property/land use and small business matters, are most effectively addressed at the municipal level. Our local planning, zoning, and building authorities have the requisite experience and expertise to determine what works (or does not work) for their community," McKee added.
Source: Go Local Prov blog on 2022 Rhode Island Gubernatorial race Jul 8, 2021

Donald Carcieri: Reduce our reliance on government

Just like most Rhode Islanders today, our independent-minded founders weren't too fond of an overly controlling government. Famously, we were the first of the original Thirteen Colonies to declare our independence, but we were the last to ratify the U.S. Constitution. They valued individual autonomy. They were suspicious of the power and cost of government. Imagine how they'd view government today with so much power and too much cost.

We need to restore their outlook in all aspects of civic life. We need to reduce our reliance on government. From my seven-year view as an outsider-turned-insider, the biggest blocks to progress are the political blocks. We need less party and union group thinking, and more independent free-thinking, men and women like the one that crowns this Capital.

My team has spent seven years reshaping state government, streamlining it, and making sure that it did not become a greater burden on our citizens.

Source: Rhode Island 2010 State of the State Address Jan 26, 2010

Gina Raimondo: Allow online voter registration

Excerpts from legislation: