Common Cause Forum on Speech in Debate and Ethics in government
“Join us for Speech in Debate Forum Sept. 16
August 26th, 2009 jmarion
Common Cause Rhode Island and the A. Alfred Taubman Center at Brown University are pleased to announce a panel discussion:
“The Rhode Island Ethics Commission in the Wake of the Irons Decision.”
Description: Please join us for a panel discussion about the decision of the Rhode Island Supreme Court in the case of Irons vs. The RI Ethics Commission and the future of the Commission in the decision’s wake. Hear from leading experts on the decision, as well as authorities on the Commission and advocates working to make changes in the wake of the Supreme Court’s opinion.
Moderator:
Ross Cheit–Professor of Public Policy at Brown and member of The Rhode Island Ethics Commission
Panelists:
Barbara Binder–Attorney and Chairwoman of The Rhode Island Ethics Commission
Mark Freel–Attorney and author of RI ACLU brief in the Irons vs. RIEC case
Tom Bender–Attorney and author of Common Cause RI brief in the Irons vs. RIEC case
Jason Gramitt –Staff attorney RIEC, and author of RIEC brief
John Marion–Executive director of Common Cause RI
John Roney (tentative) –Attorney and parliamentarian of Rhode Island Senate
Where: Smith-Buonanno Hall, Room 106 at 95 Cushing Street on the Brown University Campus.
When: Wednesday, September 16th at 7 pm.”
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Anyone interested in ethical government in R.I. should attend this forum which will explore the future of the R.I. Ethics Commission in the wake of the June 2009 R.I. Supreme Court decision that blocks Ethics Commission prosecution of state legislators when they use their vote to violate our state ethics laws. The Supreme Court decision says the the “speech in debate” legislative immunity in the state constitution prevents the Ethics Commission from questioning the legislators’ core legislative actions (voting and debating bills) even when the legislator uses his/her vote in their own self-interest. The Supreme Court decision has essentially created a double standard for implementation of R.I. Ethics Laws as ALL elected and appointed starte officials are still subject to the code of ethics EXCEPT our 113 state legislators.
Posted by Administrator on 9-12-09.