Now is your Chance to vote for a Constitutional Convention (2014, tenant)

[Hollytree]

Bryant University is hosting a meeting to decide whether RI should request a constitutional convention to make legislative changes in the state constitution. This could be the people's chance to effect change in RI.

Bryant U website- you must register to attend
March 29 th 2014
9-1pm


Several changes to the constitution have already been suggested:

— Eliminate straight-ticket voting: Operation Clean Government and Republican gubernatorial candidate Ken Block have pushed lawmakers for years to eliminate the option of straight-ticket voting, known as the master lever, because they say it confuses voters and helps the Democratic Party maintain its dominance.

— Ethics oversight: State lawmakers have been largely shielded from scrutiny of the state Ethics Commission since the state Supreme Court ruled in 2009 that lawmakers were immune to ethics complaints prompted by their votes or comments during legislative discussions. Legislative efforts to close this loophole with a constitutional amendment have failed ever since.

— Redistricting: Right now the process of redrawing the state's political districts is controlled by state lawmakers. Groups like Common Cause would prefer that an independent commission do the work to prevent gerrymandering of districts.

— Other ideas: Term limits for lawmakers, consolidation of government services, a line-item veto for the governor, a reduction in the size of the General Assembly and changes in the way the lieutenant governor is elected have been proposed.

[Raiderman]

Originally Posted by Hollytree

Bryant University is hosting a meeting to decide whether RI should request a constitutional convention to make legislative changes in the state constitution. This could be the people's chance to effect change in RI.

Bryant U website- you must register to attend
March 29 th 2014
9-1pm


Several changes to the constitution have already been suggested:

— Eliminate straight-ticket voting: Operation Clean Government and Republican gubernatorial candidate Ken Block have pushed lawmakers for years to eliminate the option of straight-ticket voting, known as the master lever, because they say it confuses voters and helps the Democratic Party maintain its dominance.

— Ethics oversight: State lawmakers have been largely shielded from scrutiny of the state Ethics Commission since the state Supreme Court ruled in 2009 that lawmakers were immune to ethics complaints prompted by their votes or comments during legislative discussions. Legislative efforts to close this loophole with a constitutional amendment have failed ever since.

— Redistricting: Right now the process of redrawing the state's political districts is controlled by state lawmakers. Groups like Common Cause would prefer that an independent commission do the work to prevent gerrymandering of districts.

— Other ideas: Term limits for lawmakers, consolidation of government services, a line-item veto for the governor, a reduction in the size of the General Assembly and changes in the way the lieutenant governor is elected have been proposed.

Those are all great areas to address! Hopefully people will go with an open mind.