Lobby Day March 16

Join The League of Women Voters RI and Common Cause RI  at the State House for Lobby Day 2016

 

We will meet on the 2nd Floor of the State House at 3pm. Everyone will be provided with a  briefing with talking points and materials to prepare us to meet with our  legislators. Please contact Vimala, at vimala@commoncauseri.org to sign up or for more information.

 

Legislative Update March 7

LWVRI Weekly Legislative Alert

No League Testimony Scheduled; Report on Past Week’s

Hearings—Voting and Elections, Open Meetings

Coming Up: Gun Safety Bills

As of Friday, March 4, there were no bills on which the League will testify scheduled for hearings on March 8 and 9, and the Committee calendars had not been posted for March 10. When the calendar is posted, if there are items of interest to the League for which we will need your support, we will post more information and send a supplemental Call to Action. Meanwhile, here’s the report for the past week.

On Tuesday, March 1, LWVRI President Jane Koster,  the League’s chief lobbyist, presented testimony in support of five bills. The first four related to voting and elections.

•  H 7416, which would prohibit state vendors from making political contributions to candidates that if elected, would have the authority to award state contracts to them.
•  H 7146, which would prevent a person from being a candidate for public office who owes fines, fees, or penalties of ($2,000) or more for campaign finance violations, unless that person is currently compliant with a state board-approved repayment agreement.   
•  S 2513 which would establish a system for the electronic registration of voters. 
•  S 2358, which would create a procedure for in-person early voting for all general, primary and special elections.

All were held for further study except for S 2513, the electronic legislation of voters, which was recommended for passage by the Senate Judiciary Committee.  The companion bill in the house, H 7024, was already passed.

The fifth bill, H 7601, concerned open meetings. This bill would exclude  weekends and state holidays from the calculation of the 48-hour public notice requirement for a meeting of a public body. It was also held for further study.

This past week, March 1-3, two new bills of interest the League related to gun safety to were introduced in the house and referred to the House Judiciary Committee.  Both were submitted at the request of the Attorney General.  They are:

• H 7850, which would make it unlawful to carry a rifle or shotgun in a vehicle or on one's person, visible or concealed, except at one's residence, place of business or land. This bill was sponsored by Representatives Diaz, Shekarchi, Almeida, and Maldonado
• H 7583, which would make it illegal for any person, entity, or dealer to sell, loan, transfer or acquire a firearm from any person, entity or dealer with the intent to avoid the application/disclosure process . This bill was sponsored by Johnston and Canario.

These bills have not yet been scheduled for a hearing. 

Gun Safety and Equal Pay

Gun Safety and Equal Pay

The house committees are busy introducing bills at the State House and at the end of this week there are two in particular that caught our attention. If you are represented by members of the committee that will hear these bills or by one of the sponsors of the bill, this is your opportunity to make a difference by emailing , phoning or writing them to express your concern as their constituent.  Legislators pay more attention to their constituents.  Take the time to take action. Thank you!   

GUNS. The first is H 7680, introduced by Nardolillo, Chippendale, Price, Roberts, which was sent to the House Judiciary Committee.  The bill would prohibit the use of state funds, personnel or property to enforce federal firearms laws or regulations.  The League opposes this bill. If any of the sponsors or committee members represent you, contact them and let them know that this bill thwarts public safety. Here are the members of the House Judiciary Committee.

Representative Edith H. Ajello:   rep-ajello@rilegislature.gov

Representative Joseph S. Almeida:   rep-almeida@rilegislature.gov

Representative Christopher R. Blazejewski:   rep-blazejewski@rilegislature.gov

Representative Dennis M. Canario:   rep-canario@rilegislature.gov

Representative Doreen Marie Costa, Vice Chairperson:   rep-costa@rilegislature.gov

 Representative David A. Coughlin, Jr.:   rep-coughlin@rilegislature.gov

 Representative Robert E. Craven, Sr.:   rep-craven@rilegislature.gov

 Representative John G. Edwards:   rep-edwards@rilegislature.gov

 Representative Blake A. Filippi:   rep-filippi@rilegislature.gov

 Representative Cale P. Keable, Chairperson:   rep-keable@rilegislature.gov

 Representative Carol Hagan McEntee:   rep-mcentee@rilegislature.gov

 Representative Jeremiah T. O'Grady:   rep-ogrady@rilegislature.gov

FAIR PAY. The League supports H 7694, introduced by Hearn, Messier, Costa, Ajello, and Tanzi. Known as the Fair Pay Act, it would increase  protections from gender discrimination with regard to pay.  This bill will be heard by the House Labor Committee.

Here are the members of the House Labor Committee:

Representative Stephen M. Casey:   rep-casey@rilegislature.gov

Representative Michael W. Chippendale:   rep-chippendale@rilegislature.gov

Representative Arthur J. Corvese:   rep-corvese@rilegislature.gov

Representative John G. Edwards:   rep-edwards@rilegislature.gov

Representative Deborah A. Fellela:   rep-fellela@rilegislature.gov

Representative Antonio Giarrusso:   rep-giarrusso@rilegislature.gov

Representative Kenneth A. Marshall:   rep-marshall@rilegislature.gov

Representative Carol Hagan McEntee:   rep-mcentee@rilegislature.gov

Representative Daniel P. McKiernan:   rep-@rilegislature.gov

Representative Joseph M. McNamara:   rep-mcnamara@rilegislature.gov

Representative Helio Melo:   rep-melo@rilegislature.gov

Representative Jared R. Nunes:   rep-nunes@rilegislature.gov

Representative Thomas A. Palangio, Vice Chairman:   rep-palangio@rilegislature.gov

Representative K. Joseph Shekarchi, Chairman:   rep-shekarchi@rilegislature.gov

Representative Stephen R. Ucci:   rep-ucci@rilegislature.gov

Representative Thomas Winfield:   rep-winfield@rilegislature.gov

TAKE ACTION TODAY!!!

LWVRI Legislative Update: Three Bills of Great Importance.

Ethics. The League of Women Voters of RI is testifying before the RI Senate Judiciary Committee today , February 23, on two bills being introduced to re-establish the jurisdiction of the Ethics Commission over the RI Legislature.  The League has urged the passage of a bill to place the Legislature under the jurisdiction of the Ethics Commission ever since 2009, when the Supreme Court ruled that lawmakers were immune to ethics complaints prompted by their votes or comment during legislative discussions. That ruling essentially allows lawmakers to vote on or sponsor bills that advance their own interests.  The ability of RI to attract businesses is weakened by not having the legislature under the jurisdiction of the Ethics Commission.

The League of Women Voters supports S2060 rather than S2427. We believe S2060 is in the best interests of the people of Rhode Island, and the voters should have a chance to vote on this important amendment that would restore the power of the state Ethics Commission over the legislature. S2427 would allow a legislator the right to a trial de novo if he or she disputed the findings of the Ethics Commission, presenting the potential for lengthy and expensive litigation.

Timely notification of public meetings. Today the League will also testify in support of S 2309, which would exclude  weekends and state holidays from the calculation of the 48 hour public notice requirement for a meeting of a public body.  It is in the public interest to know about public meetings as far ahead of time as possible. This bill is especially important for Monday evening meetings which currently can be posted after 5 p.m. on Friday, but it also applies to meetings held on Tuesdays.

Rights of pregnant women. On February 25, the Senate Health and Human Services will be hearing a bill, S 2052, which would prevent insurance companies from denying coverage to pregnant women.  The League will also testify in support of this bill.

The League is tracking legislation as it is introduced so that we can testify on bills on which we have positions.  Previously this year we have testified in support of placing the Board of Elections under the Administrative Procedures Act, on counting prisoners as residing in their home districts rather than in the prison district for purposes of the census, and in support of the electronic registration of voters.

LWVRI Legislative Update

The League of Women Voters of RI is testifying before the RI Senate Judiciary Committee today , February 23, on two bills being introduced to re-establish the jurisdiction of the Ethics Commission over the RI Legislature.  The League has urged the passage of a bill to place the Legislature under the jurisdiction of the Ethics Commission ever since 2009, when the Supreme Court ruled that lawmakers were immune to ethics complaints prompted by their votes or comment during legislative discussions. That ruling essentially allows lawmakers to vote on or sponsor bills that advance their own interests.  The ability of RI to attract businesses is weakened by not having the legislature under the jurisdiction of the Ethics Commission.

The League of Women Voters supports S2060 rather than S2427 because the latter bill would allow a legislator the right to a trial de novo if he or she disputed the findings of the Ethics Commission, presenting the potential for lengthy and expensive litigation. We believe S2060 is in the best interests of the people of Rhode Island, and the voters should have a chance to vote on this important amendment that would restore the power of the state Ethics Commission over the legislature.

Today the League will also testify in support of S 2309, which would exclude  weekends and state holidays from the calculation of the 48 hour public notice requirement for a meeting of a public body.  It is in the public interest to know about public meetings as far ahead of time as possible. This bill is especially important for Monday evening meetings which currently can be posted after 5 p.m. on Friday, but it also applies to meetings held on Tuesdays.

On February 25, the Senate Health and Human Services will be hearing a bill, S 2052, which would prevent insurance companies from denying coverage to pregnant women..  The League will also testify in support of this bill.

The League is tracking legislation as it is introduced so that we can testify on bills on which we have positions.  Previously this year we have testified in support of placing the Board of Elections under the Administrative Procedures Act, on counting prisoners as residing in their home districts rather than in the prison district for purposes of the census, and in support of the electronic registration of voters.

Follow-up: Call for Accommodations for Breastfeeding Mothers is Answered

In the past, if you were a lactating woman, you could not expect to receive any special treatment from the RI Bar. According to the results of a survey (www.aclu.org/map/breastfeeding-policies-during-bar-exam-state) conducted by the ACLU and Law Students for Reproductive Justice, Rhode Island has rated a D- for it efforts in accommodating women who are breastfeeding during the time that the bar exam is offered.

The ACLU notes that the “report card findings highlight the widespread barriers that women face in pursuit of their legal careers. State boards must acknowledge that their outdated policies contribute to this problem and must take an active role in eliminating these barriers. Women should not be forced to make a decision between their families and their careers.”
In November  David Wollin, Chair of the Rhode Island Board of Bar Examiners received a letter sent by some pretty powerful names—LWVRI, ACLU of Rhode Island, Planned Parenthood of Southern New England, Women’s Fund of Rhode Island, Rhode Island NOW, and Rhode Island Women’s Bar Association. The letter noted that every other New England state does make appropriate accommodations, and that this coalition believed, “...there is no reason for this to be delayed any longer. We therefore request the Board to take up this matter expeditiously and adopt a policy designed to meaningfully accommodate breastfeeding applicants in time for the next Bar exam.”
Two months after the letter was sent, the Rhode Island Supreme Court has now adopted amendments to the Board’s Rules of Practice that will allow breastfeeding applicants to request and obtain accommodations easily. The new regulations note:
"An applicant who is otherwise eligible to take the bar examination, but who does not qualify for accommodations under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), as amended, may request administrative nonstandard test accommodations when applying for admission.
"Examples of nonstandard test accommodations are: ...whatever accommodations may be necessary to pump breast milk during the bar examination.....”

Happily in February 2016, mothers can be assured that being a mother won’t interfere with their need to take the Rhode Island Bar.

Thanks to the RI Judiciary for changing this arcane policy and to all the members of the coalition for taking up the cause!

Redistricting Process - change vital to responsiveness

The Brennan Center for Justice at the New York University School of Law notes efforts to change selection of redistricting commissions in nine states this year.  The goal is to make them balanced politically and prevent  whatever party is in power at the time the next redistricting occurs from literally cutting out competition from legislators' districts.  Here is a link to the Brennan Center's current article.https://www.brennancenter.org/blog/redistricting-reform-gains-momentum-2016.

California used an independently selected commission of citizens to choose its redistrictiing commission after the 2010 census.  The resultant legislature was able to breakthrough political gridlock and solve some of California's longstanding problems.  RI's current system is completely dominated by sitting legislators and their appointees.