By SPEAKER NICHOLAS A. MATTIELLO We will hear our fair share of partisan politics this campaign season but I hope we can all come together to support Question 2 on the November ballot. If voters approve this ballot question, the Ethics Commission would
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We will hear our fair share of partisan politics this campaign season but I hope we can all come together to support Question 2 on the November ballot. If voters approve this ballot question, the Ethics Commission would once again have the power to police conflicts of interest among General Assembly members.
In 2009, the Ethics Commission lost its teeth after the Supreme Court ruled that General Assembly members have legislative immunity from ethics prosecution. Question 2 restores the Ethics Commission’s jurisdiction over the General Assembly by removing the “speech in debate” clause which gave rise to legislative immunity from our state’s constitution.
I was proud to sponsor the House legislation to place this constitutional question on the ballot – and it passed unanimously in both the House and Senate. Like many Rhode Islanders, I became frustrated with elected officials using their positions for personal gain.
Elected officials should always work in Rhode Island’s best interest, not out of self-interest. Still, the Ethics Commission needs the power to discipline an elected official when they do the latter. Strong accountability will help maintain the public’s faith in government.
Rhode Island General Law already contains one of the strongest Code of Ethics in the country. And, while many other state legislatures are policed internally by commissions comprised of legislators, the autonomous Ethics Commission would police the actions of our General Assembly members. If you approve Question 2, Rhode Island’s ethics enforcement will be made whole and we will become a model for strong, transparent and external oversight.
So, as we enter campaign season and partisan politics attempt to divide us, we should unite this November to support at least one cause – restoring the Ethics Commission’s jurisdiction over the General Assembly. I hope you enjoy the rest of your summer and join me in voting “yes” on Question 2.
House Speaker Nicholas A. Mattiello is a Democrat representing District 15 in Cranston.
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Keyman95
Yes, common sense
Thursday, July 21, 2016 Report this