Moore: Call on Mattiello to Pass Ethics Bill
Monday, April 27, 2015
Walk into any coffee shop, listen to talk radio, or take a gander at any social media platform where Rhode Island politics is discussed and the sentiment that our public officials care more about their own interests than the general public’s will inevitably be expressed and agreed upon.
Given that widespread sentiment coupled with the fact that former House Speaker Gordon Fox just pled guilty to taking a bribe and other abuses of his power last month, the time to re-empower the state Ethics Commission over the General Assembly has never been riper.
Empower the Ethics Commission
GET THE LATEST BREAKING NEWS HERE -- SIGN UP FOR GOLOCAL FREE DAILY EBLASTYet despite that, it seems like the proposed bill that would do so (that power was lost thanks to a Supreme Court decision in the William Irons case from 2009 effectively neutered the Ethics Commission from policing the General Assembly by stating that to do so would infringe on the "speech and debate" clause in the state constitution), is unlikely to pass. The bill would ask state voters to change the state constitution in such a way that would re-empower the commission. And the voters would do so by an overwhelming majority.
As well they should. The Ethics Commission should have the same authority over the state legislature as it does every other elected official in Rhode Island, which includes mayors to city council members to state general officers like the Governor. Good luck finding a stauncher advocate of free speech than me. But free speech is not using your position in the General Assembly to benefit yourself at your constituent’s expense.
Opponents say that the measure isn’t needed because the FBI and state police can still enforce anti-corruption laws. But Rhode Islanders need every possible layer of protection that they can get. It's worth noting that every single gubernatorial candidate during last year's campaign said they supported the measure.
Don’t get me wrong: the ethics reform bill isn’t going to be some panacea that solves all our problems, but it would certainly be a step forward.
The Shoulder Fighters
But current House Speaker Nicolas Mattiello (D-Cranston) doesn't realize that Rhode Islanders want to see ethics reform because he's surrounded himself with what I refer to as The Shoulder Fighters, who only tell him what he feels like hearing.
The Shoulder Fighters are the bootlickers, the flatterers, the sycophants, the lackeys and goons who care more about a legislative grant for the Little League in their district; or the fact that they watch the Red Sox in the Speaker’s office with him once in a blue moon; or the fact that they sat with him at his table at the Newspaper Guild Follies; and get invited to The Christmas Party—not to mention securing a government job for a family member or friend—than any abstract principles like ethics. They come in the form of less powerful legislators, government staffers, and lobbyists and generally any other hangers on that can be imagined.
Just picture a couple of his henchman hanging around downtown and suddenly hearing that "Da Speakah" is at some bar or other in Providence. With great haste they'd down there and with tremendous fury they'd jostle against each other, banging into one another’s shoulders in a fierce struggle to gain face time in front of the legislature's top dog. I've seen these sorts go about their nauseating jockeying since I began covering politics in this state back in 2005--10 years now!
(Isn't it funny how these sorts can't be found in the same zip code of their once revered leaders once they fall from grace? Ask Gordon Fox about this phenomenon some time.)
Make the Call
In any event, the Shoulder Fighters won't tell Mattiello, but here's something he should know: the people of this state, the ones who work hard, pay the taxes, raise families--the salt of the earth--are disgusted with the corruption, the backroom dealing, and the political horse trading that is the modus operandi around here. They want ethics reform now.
But we can’t rely on The Shoulder Fighters to make this point. Instead, it’s up to the regular folk, whom the government still technically exists to serve, to stand and be counted. Or, in this case, pick up the telephone and make the case for the passage of some good government reform.
Because if there were ever a time that the state of Rhode Island needed to get serious about ethics; it's right now.
Join me in calling for the re-reinstatement of the Ethics Commission's power to police the General Assembly. Call Speaker Mattiello's office at (401) 222-2466, and let him know that we demand that that ethics bill, sponsored by Representative Michael Marcello (D-Scituate), to pass this year.
It’s not enough to just to complain amongst ourselves.
Russell J. Moore has worked on both sides of the desk in Rhode Island media, both for newspapers and on political campaigns. Send him email at [email protected]. Follow him on twitter @russmoore713
Related Slideshow: FY15 House Budget: Ten Important Issues to be Resolved
On June 5, the House Finance Committee approved an $8.7 billion Fiscal Year 2015 budget that "closes an unexpected $67 million gap, fully funds education aid while averting bridge tolls and tax increases, establishing a steady source for transportation funding, promoting economic development and reducing the corporate and death taxes".
As the full House and Senate prepare to take up the budget, below are ten provisions of importance to keep an eye on at the General Assembly.
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