Supporters of government transparency are renewing their push to modernize Rhode Island’s Access to Public Records Act, or APRA, for the first time since 2012. Ahead of legislative hearings, advocates are gathering at the Statehouse on Wednesday to urge support for bills sponsored by Sen. Louis DiPalma (D-Middletown) and state Rep. Patricia Serpa (D-West Warwick). […]
John Marion
Posted inLocal, Politics, TGIF
TGIF: Ian Donnis’ Rhode Island politics roundup for April 25, 2025
Considering the torrents of news, is it time to measure the first 100 days of a new presidential administration in dog-years? You can follow me through the week on Bluesky, threads and X. Here we go. *** Want to get my column in your inbox every Friday? Just sign up right here. *** 1. STORY […]
Posted inLocal, Politics
Breaking down the ballot: Should Rhode Island hold a constitutional convention?
The voter registration deadline in Rhode Island is Oct. 6. You can register at vote.RI.gov. Go here for a guide to all five referenda questions on this year’s ballot, and click here for more information on when, where and how to vote in this year’s election. TRANSCRIPT: This transcript has been edited for length and […]
Posted inLocal, Shoreline Access, South County Bureau
Is Westerly’s solicitor botching legal work on shoreline access? Town councilors want answers.
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 […]
Posted inArticle, Politics
Good Government Group Praises Grand Jury Probe Related To Mattiello’s 2016 Campaign
A good government group says a grand jury probe of Rhode Island House Speaker Nicholas Mattiello’s 2016 re-election campaign could deliver what it calls overdue accountability. But Mattiello’s campaign downplays the matter, and says the issue has already been settled.
Posted inArticle, Politics
Critics Say Cranston Chiropractor Controversy Highlights A Need For More Transparency In RI’s Budget Process
One million dollars in funding for an alternative medical program in Cranston was cut from Rhode Island’s budget last week, in a controversy that critics say illustrates a lack of transparency in the process.
Posted inArticle, Politics
Campaign Finance Advocates Renew Push To Make Rhode Island Elections More Competitive
A newly introduced bill in the General Assembly aims to make legislative and statewide elections in Rhode Island more competitive by giving under-funded candidates financial help against deeper-pocketed rivals.
Posted inArticle, Politics
Legislative Jobs For District 15 Voters Have Multiplied During Mattiello’s Time As RI Speaker
The number of patronage jobs from House Speaker Nicholas Mattiello’s Cranston district has almost tripled during Mattiello’s time as speaker. Patronage jobs are one of the tools that a legislative leader like Mattiello can use to reinforce his own political power at the Statehouse.
Posted inArticle, Politics
RI Officials Cheer Court Order To Remove Citizenship Question From 2020 Census
A federal judge has rejected a proposed citizenship question for the 2020 Census. John Bender reports, Rhode Island communities were among the plaintiffs in the suit.
