Giannini: Hot Topics of 2015 at the General Assembly
Wednesday, May 27, 2015
Lobbying Reform Act of 2015
One hot topic of the General Assembly this year will be The Lobbying Reform Act of 2015 which was announced by Secretary of State Nellie Gorbea. She has stated this law will "strengthen, clarify and increase the transparency of Rhode Island's lobbying laws."
As reported previously in GoLocalProv, the provisions included in the legislation include clarifying the definitions of lobbyists and lobbying, providing a solid framework for investigations and hearing, and authorizing subpoena power in the course of conducting investigations, bringing the Department of State in line with standard practices currently used by other state agencies such as Department of Business Regulations and Department of Environmental Management.
GET THE LATEST BREAKING NEWS HERE -- SIGN UP FOR GOLOCAL FREE DAILY EBLASTAlso included are provisions to strengthen and simplify lobbying reporting guidelines and making public access more easier. It also increases penalties for not complying with these provisions. But will this bill pass in the House and Senate chambers where it has been introduced?
We certainly know the public wants to see Lobbying changes in our laws and more transparency. The open and transparency provisions are probably going to pass but the subpoena powers have always been a touchy issue. The lobbyists usually have no problem testifying on bills they are advocating for at the state house. But will they like being subpoenaed for investigations on issues and other tax subsidized projects in Rhode Island? Time will tell the outcome of the Lobbying reform act of 2015.
Keep the Voter ID Law
Another issue being studied is the voter identification law that was passed a few years ago. As of January 1, 2014 a photo ID is required to show proof of identity in the following forms:
• RI Drivers License
• RI Voter Identification card
• U.S. Passport
• An identification card issued by the US government or State of RI
• An identification card issued by a UbS educational institution
• A U.S. Military identification card
• Government issued medical card
A provisional ballot is also allowed in the event a person is a registered voter and cannot provide proof of identity as required. The local Board of Canvassers determines the validity of each provisional ballot. So, the Rhode Island law provides plenty of ways to provide a photo ID and an alternate method of voting if you can't provide identification. Approximately, 34 other states have passed some form of voter ID laws.
This is a much needed law for Rhode Island because it deters voting fraud. We can all agree that we want the voting process to be fair and accurate. Testimony was given at the state house by elected officials who told of voter fraud and voter improprieties they experienced. They did so because they wanted to protect the integrity of the voting system and right a wrong in our system. For too many years we heard stories of dead people voting and buses of people pulling up to the polls in the last hour on Election Day to vote. Well, the voter identification law discourages this kind of activity and should be kept in place.
When I think of all the things we are asked to show our licenses for such as: cashing a check, using a charge card, medical tests, purchasing insurance, doctor visits, airline travel and applying for loans and credit, I see no reason why voting should be any different. Voting is an honor and a privilege and the process should be protected. The voter identification law took years to pass. Let's go forward, not backward in our efforts to ensure a good voting system.
Let's hope the Secretary of State keeps the voter identification law in place.
Laws Regarding the Polling Places
While we talk about voter fraud, let's also bring up the fact of enforcing voter laws on Election Day. Candidates should not be allowed inside the polling places on Election Day greeting voters, handing out food to voters and escorting voters into the voting booth area. State law requires that candidates are not allowed to do so and have to be in a certain amount of feet away from the polls to campaign. Some candidates ignore this law and continue to go in and out of the polling place. We all know, they have to vote and go inside and say hello to everyone but to consistently remain inside the polling place with their workers approaching voters is wrong. Let's hope there is some stricter enforcement of these laws or clarification of existing laws to prevent these actions.
Lima want to stop 38 studios payments
State Representative Charlene Lima from Cranston, Rhode Island has once again stated that she is prepared to fight to stop paying the 38 studios payments bond payments. On the WPRO
Buddy Cianci show last Wednesday, Rep. Lima has voiced her continuing opposition to the continued paying of the 38 studio bonds. The House Speaker has made it clear that he is still in favor of Rhode Islanders to pay for those bonds. This has been an ongoing fight for Representative Lima who is the Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives. She said she will continue to fight to stop the payments for the people of Rhode Island.
Marijuana or Hemp anyone?
Just when you think you've heard all the news about the marijuana debate, comes the news that a new bill has been introduced to legalize the growth and sale of hemp in this state. Both hemp and Marijuana come from the same plant species, the Cannabis sativa. Hemp was outlawed federally in the 1970's and federal law currently classifies hemp and marijuana as a controlled substance. So is Rhode Island going to be known as the state Capitol that grows Marijuana and hemp now? Can Rhode Island control the growth of both these substances? Who will be in charge of monitoring all these facilities and how many government agencies have to be created to ensure the safety of the production, distribution and safety of these growing facilities?
And who will monitor the safe distribution and stop the possible distribution to our underage youth of these substances? Inquiring minds want to know. Just saying....
Joanne Giannini served as a RI State Representative from Providence from 1994 to 2010. She has previously written commentaries for the Providence Journal and the Federal Hill Gazette. During her tenure in the General Assembly, she made appearances on CNN, Primetime News, and American Morning regarding legislation she filed in Rhode Island.
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