Some members of the Westerly Town Council are questioning whether the town misspent taxpayer money on legal research into a closely-watched public access matter involving the Watch Hill Lighthouse that wasn’t submitted before a critical deadline and still hasn’t been released to the public. The matter is expected to come up at a special town […]
Common Cause Rhode Island
Posted inPolitical Roundtable, Politics
Common Cause’s John Marion on 2024 elections, open records, and more
The former Providence Journal reporter Elliot Jaspin once called Rhode Island a theme park for journalists. The same could be said for advocates of good government. Although there have been fewer cases of public corruption in recent years, issues of government accountability and transparency remain front and center. One person closely monitoring these issues is John Marion, who has served as executive director of Common Cause of Rhode Island since 2008. He keeps a watchful eye on state government and spends long hours at the Statehouse monitoring the General Assembly. Over time, Marion and predecessors including Phil West have been an important voice for reform in Rhode Island. But is that enough when many people believe democracy is on the ballot this November? What is the effect when Donald Trump perpetuates a false narrative about crooked elections? And why are we not seeing more robust competition for legislative seats in Rhode Island? This week on Political Roundtable, political reporter Ian Donnis goes in-depth with head of Common Cause of Rhode Island, John Marion.
Posted inEpisode
Scott MacKay’s Commentary: Supreme Court Gerrymandering Decision Won’t Help GOP In New England
Republicans around the country are pleased with the recent U.S. Supreme Court decision allowing partisan gerrymandering of Congressional and state legislative districts. But while that will help Republicans in red states, the Public’s Radio political analyst Scott MacKay says it will be a huge barrier for Republicans in Massachusetts and Rhode Island.
