Common Cause Rhode Island, along with the Rhode Island Taxpayers, and the League of Women Voters of Rhode, ask the Rhode Island Senate to withdraw Senate resolution 2824 Sub A as amended. This resolution, which would put a constitutional amendment regarding the jurisdiction of the Ethics Commission over the General Assembly on November’s ballot, has been hopelessly compromised. The groups remain committed to future efforts to fix the loophole created in 2009 by the Rhode Island Supreme Court’s decision in Irons v. Rhode Island Ethics Commission.
Read the editorial in today's (June 4, 2014) ProJo.
http://www.providencejournal.com/opinion/editorials/20140604-ethics-trojan-horse.ece
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Showing posts with label 2014. Show all posts
Showing posts with label 2014. Show all posts
Friday, June 6, 2014
Reminder - Three upcoming events
1) June 11, Wednesday, 4:30 pm, Governor’s Reception Room, State House
Celebration of Susan B. Wilson Award winners, a competitive award given to social studies teachers for excellence (see www.lwvri.org for more details)
2) June 12, Thursday, 6 pm, Wanskuck Library, 233 Veazie St, Providence. Mayoral candidates debate, sponsored by Friends of Providence Community Libraries, conducted by Providence League of Women Voters
3) June 19, Thursday, 5:30 – 8 pm. 603 Angell St, Providence, Annual Meeting/Barbecue/potluck desserts. RSVP: emhead603@hotmail.com
Celebration of Susan B. Wilson Award winners, a competitive award given to social studies teachers for excellence (see www.lwvri.org for more details)
2) June 12, Thursday, 6 pm, Wanskuck Library, 233 Veazie St, Providence. Mayoral candidates debate, sponsored by Friends of Providence Community Libraries, conducted by Providence League of Women Voters
3) June 19, Thursday, 5:30 – 8 pm. 603 Angell St, Providence, Annual Meeting/Barbecue/potluck desserts. RSVP: emhead603@hotmail.com
Monday, June 2, 2014
Providence - Zoning, Brown Master Plan
Neighborhood email lists and newsletters are a good source of information.
A recent Wayland Square newsgroup email provided information about proposed changes to East Side zoning and Brown University's Institutional Master Plan.
A recent Wayland Square newsgroup email provided information about proposed changes to East Side zoning and Brown University's Institutional Master Plan.
Providence - Budget, Tax Rates, River Road
This is not a candidate endorsement, but for anyone interested in Providence Issues, Sam Zurier's Ward Letters are a wonderful source of information about what is going on in the City.
June 1, 2014 Ward Letter
Excerpts
Last month, the City Council reviewed the City budget in the Ways and Means Committee, and the School Department in the Education Committee. Those reviews will conclude this week. The Ways and Means Committee holds a public hearing and possibly a vote on Monday, June 2 at 5:30. The Education Committee will hold a hearing the next day at 5:30, and likely a vote on the School Department budget that evening. If that occurs, the City Council may review the budget this Thursday night, June 5.
On May 1, a group of City Council members introduced legislation to narrow the spread between tax rates between homeowners (which currently is at $19.25) and owners of rental properties of 1-5 units (currently $33.75), a differential of 75%.
A week from Thursday (June 12) at 6:00-8:00 p.m., I will host a community meeting at Nathan Bishop Middle School to discuss a neighborhood group’s proposal to reconfigure River Road. The group wishes to restrict vehicular traffic on the road to benefit visitors on foot and bicycles.
June 1, 2014 Ward Letter
Excerpts
Last month, the City Council reviewed the City budget in the Ways and Means Committee, and the School Department in the Education Committee. Those reviews will conclude this week. The Ways and Means Committee holds a public hearing and possibly a vote on Monday, June 2 at 5:30. The Education Committee will hold a hearing the next day at 5:30, and likely a vote on the School Department budget that evening. If that occurs, the City Council may review the budget this Thursday night, June 5.
On May 1, a group of City Council members introduced legislation to narrow the spread between tax rates between homeowners (which currently is at $19.25) and owners of rental properties of 1-5 units (currently $33.75), a differential of 75%.
A week from Thursday (June 12) at 6:00-8:00 p.m., I will host a community meeting at Nathan Bishop Middle School to discuss a neighborhood group’s proposal to reconfigure River Road. The group wishes to restrict vehicular traffic on the road to benefit visitors on foot and bicycles.
Sunday, June 1, 2014
Action Alert - Energy
Distributed Generation Growth Program bills (H7727/S2690). The Senate will vote on their version on June 6, but the bill is still in committee in the house, being “held for further study.” This program will expire in 2014 unless reauthorized by the RI Legislature. Please read the explanation below, and then call or email your representatives in the Legislature. Senate House
Developing renewable energy is our best way to fight climate change, as well as to protect ourselves from rising prices for natural gas.
Per an article in the ProJo of May 30, 2014, the distributed generation pilot program created in 2011 to develop the clean energy industry in RI has been very successful. “It created 175 jobs in the first 18 months of the program and the cost of solar power generation dropped more than 50%...Renewable energy companies …lined up in droves to vie for the wind, solar, anaerobic digestion and small-scale hydro projects awarded through the 2011 program.” 70 projects proposed so far, but program only big enough to accommodate 28. 16 have been built or scheduled to be built, with more on the way.
This program will expire in 2014 unless reauthorized by the RI Legislature. Distributed Generation Growth Program bill (H7727/S2690).The Senate will hear their version on June 6, but the bill is still in committee in the house, being “held for further study.”
“According to a May 20143 report commissioned by the state Office of Energy Resources, a new distributed generation program along with Renewable Energy Fund investments would result in nearly 250 net jobs and an average annual net economic output of more than $30 million. Over the next 25 years, the state could expect to see more than a half-billion dollars in economic output if the bill were enacted. With an expanded renewable energy market, the state’s solar businesses would no longer have to cross state lines to do business. “ By Peter Rothstein, president of New England Clean Energy Council. John Marcantonio, Exec. Director of RI Builders’ Association, and Michael Daley, business manager of International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers local union 99.
This is an area in which we have not been active for a while, so we need help. If you have time to research these issues or help us cover what is happening and plan ways to inform legislators and the public, please let us know. See lwvri.org for contact info and to see what we are doing so far.
Developing renewable energy is our best way to fight climate change, as well as to protect ourselves from rising prices for natural gas.
Per an article in the ProJo of May 30, 2014, the distributed generation pilot program created in 2011 to develop the clean energy industry in RI has been very successful. “It created 175 jobs in the first 18 months of the program and the cost of solar power generation dropped more than 50%...Renewable energy companies …lined up in droves to vie for the wind, solar, anaerobic digestion and small-scale hydro projects awarded through the 2011 program.” 70 projects proposed so far, but program only big enough to accommodate 28. 16 have been built or scheduled to be built, with more on the way.
This program will expire in 2014 unless reauthorized by the RI Legislature. Distributed Generation Growth Program bill (H7727/S2690).The Senate will hear their version on June 6, but the bill is still in committee in the house, being “held for further study.”
“According to a May 20143 report commissioned by the state Office of Energy Resources, a new distributed generation program along with Renewable Energy Fund investments would result in nearly 250 net jobs and an average annual net economic output of more than $30 million. Over the next 25 years, the state could expect to see more than a half-billion dollars in economic output if the bill were enacted. With an expanded renewable energy market, the state’s solar businesses would no longer have to cross state lines to do business. “ By Peter Rothstein, president of New England Clean Energy Council. John Marcantonio, Exec. Director of RI Builders’ Association, and Michael Daley, business manager of International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers local union 99.
This is an area in which we have not been active for a while, so we need help. If you have time to research these issues or help us cover what is happening and plan ways to inform legislators and the public, please let us know. See lwvri.org for contact info and to see what we are doing so far.
Friday, May 30, 2014
The Susan B. Wilson Civic Education Merit Awards Reception
You are cordially invited to
The Susan B. Wilson Civic Education Merit Awards Reception
Wednesday, June 11, 2014, @ 4:30pm
Governor's Reception Room
Rhode Island State House
Providence, RI
Keynote Speaker: Deborah A. Gist, RI Commissioner of Education
The LWV of South Kingstown/Narragansett is proud to announce this year's recipients of The 7th Annual Susan B. Wilson Civic Education Merit Awards. The 2013 - 2014 merit awards recipients are: Kimberly Rawson, social studies teacher at North Smithfield High School, North Smithfield, RI, who will receive the Grand Prize of $1,000; James Gemma, 5th-grade teacher at Edward Rhodes Elementary School, Cranston, RI, who will receive the Jury Prize of $500; and Deborah Marcello & Gregory Quirk, teachers at Portsmouth Middle School, Portsmouth, RI, who will receive the Honorable Mention Prize of $250.
With funding from the LWVRI Education Fund, The LWV of South Kingstown/Narragansett bestows this annual award in Rhode Island to encourage teaching of civic education, pre-Kindergarten to Grade-12, and honor teachers who have exhibited exceptional work in this area through remarkable ability and innovation.
You are encouraged to extend this invitation to others. Please RSVP via email to sknarr@lwvri.org and let the league know if you will attend the ceremony.
Thursday, May 22, 2014
LWV West Bay - Dinner/Roast in honor of John Hazen White, Jr.
Dinner/Roast in honor of John Hazen White, Jr.
Friday, June 27, Ballroom, Providence Biltmore, 7 pm
The League of Women Voters of West Bay honors John Hazen White, Jr. as its “man of the year.”
For more information, contact Helen Taylor, lizzytaylor29@aol.com
Monday, May 19, 2014
2014 LWVUS Convention
2014 LWVUS Convention As many of you know, Convention 2014 will be held in Dallas, Texas from June 6-10, with the theme of "Power: Our Voices, Our Votes". This is your official notice that materials traditionally found in the Convention Workbook (information on the budget, bylaws, program and nominated leadership) for the LWVUS 2014 Convention are ready and available on the LWVUS Web site. Hard copies will be available at Convention for all attendees.
Convention is the opportunity for us to come together as one organization to plan for the next two years and even beyond. There are so many important issues facing our nation and our communities that finding the most productive focus is always a challenge. The LWVUS Board contributes to that planning process by making recommendations, based on member input, with regard to program, bylaw amendments and by proposing a budget for the biennium.
Other material for Convention sent by State and Local Leagues:
Bylaw Proposal - Concurrence Process
Campaign Finance - Caucus
Climate Change
Equality of Opportunity
Human Trafficking
Inequality-Living Wage
LWV 20/20: evaluating the LWV for the future
Partisan Primaries - Proposal
Prison Gerrymandering caucus
Reducing Carbon Emissions - Caucus
Restoring Voting Rights to Ex-Felons
Convention is the opportunity for us to come together as one organization to plan for the next two years and even beyond. There are so many important issues facing our nation and our communities that finding the most productive focus is always a challenge. The LWVUS Board contributes to that planning process by making recommendations, based on member input, with regard to program, bylaw amendments and by proposing a budget for the biennium.
Other material for Convention sent by State and Local Leagues:
Bylaw Proposal - Concurrence Process
Campaign Finance - Caucus
Climate Change
Equality of Opportunity
Human Trafficking
Inequality-Living Wage
LWV 20/20: evaluating the LWV for the future
Partisan Primaries - Proposal
Prison Gerrymandering caucus
Reducing Carbon Emissions - Caucus
Restoring Voting Rights to Ex-Felons
Saturday, May 17, 2014
LWV of Providence - Annual Meeting/Backyard Barbecue
Thursday, June 19
5:30 pm
603 Angell Street
RSVP: 401-351-2269, emhead603@hotmail.com
Agenda: Election of Conveners, Prologue, Epilogue, Voter Service, Programs
For specific details, see www.lwvri.org, lwvriprov.blogspot.com/
Come enjoy each other’s company over dinner (potluck desserts are welcome – we’ll supply the rest) as we plan for 2014-15
Budget
Bylaws
Report to State Council
LWVRI Providence documents
5:30 pm
603 Angell Street
RSVP: 401-351-2269, emhead603@hotmail.com
Agenda: Election of Conveners, Prologue, Epilogue, Voter Service, Programs
For specific details, see www.lwvri.org, lwvriprov.blogspot.com/
Come enjoy each other’s company over dinner (potluck desserts are welcome – we’ll supply the rest) as we plan for 2014-15
Budget
Bylaws
Report to State Council
LWVRI Providence documents
Friday, May 16, 2014
Wednesday, May 14, 2014
Conveners
The Providence League names Conveners rather than officers. Current conveners are Liz Head, Hollie Courage, Barbara Feldman and Joan Retsinas. Maureen Romans, Sandy Riojas and Judy Dorian have been attending the Conveners' meetings and will continue to do so during the coming year. If others in the Providence League are interested in participating officially in the Conveners' meetings as a named conveners, please contact Liz Head or Joan Retsinas
Wednesday, May 7, 2014
RhodeMap Virtual Open House
RhodeMap RI is a coordinated and forward-looking effort by the state to make Rhode Island a better place to live and work by mobilizing state and community assets in a whole new way.
Join the discussion by taking a survey!
This is the culmination of an extensive outreach and research effort. Since August 2013, hundreds of Rhode Island citizens have participated and shared their ideas through 23 regional workshops, over 30 focus groups and meetings, as well as online. Now, we need your feedback on ideas for growing Rhode Island’s economy and providing for healthy homes and great communities.
Join the discussion by taking a survey!
This is the culmination of an extensive outreach and research effort. Since August 2013, hundreds of Rhode Island citizens have participated and shared their ideas through 23 regional workshops, over 30 focus groups and meetings, as well as online. Now, we need your feedback on ideas for growing Rhode Island’s economy and providing for healthy homes and great communities.
Wednesday, April 30, 2014
Police Staffing and Budget
Councilman Sam Zurier's April 29, 2014 Ward letter discusses the issue of crime and crime prevention, covering (1) the level of property crime on the East Side, (2) the Police Department resources available to address crime, (3) work in the City Council on this issue and (4) a community meeting to be held on May 21 to promote the formation of neighborhood crime watch groups.
Tuesday, April 29, 2014
Monday, April 28, 2014
LWVRI Council 2014 Registration
LWVRI Council, May 10 from 10:00 – 2:30, at the Jamestown Philomena Library
To register, use this form or download one from the LWVRI Web site. The registration fee is $20 and includes coffee and lunch. More information.
Please make your check payable to LWVRI and mail to Rosemary Forbes-Woodside, LWVRI Treasurer, 23 Skysail Ct., Jamestown, RI 02835 or register online at www.lwvri.org. Deadline is May 7, 2014.
Please print clearly as we will use this for your name tag
Name ________________________________________________________________________
League _______________________________________________________________________
Address ______________________________________________________________________
Phone____________________________________________
E-mail ______________________________________
To register, use this form or download one from the LWVRI Web site. The registration fee is $20 and includes coffee and lunch. More information.
Please make your check payable to LWVRI and mail to Rosemary Forbes-Woodside, LWVRI Treasurer, 23 Skysail Ct., Jamestown, RI 02835 or register online at www.lwvri.org. Deadline is May 7, 2014.
Please print clearly as we will use this for your name tag
Name ________________________________________________________________________
League _______________________________________________________________________
Address ______________________________________________________________________
Phone____________________________________________
E-mail ______________________________________
Wednesday, April 23, 2014
Women Holding Office: A Seat at the Table - 6th annual celebration
Monday, April 28, 2014 - 6pm to 8pm
Kirkbrae Country Club - Lincoln, RI
keynote speaker: Rosie Hidalgo
director of public policy, Casa de Esperanza, Washington, DC
emcee: Arlene Violet
Rhode Island Attorney General 1985-1987
reception - complimentary hors d'oeuvres - cash bar
tickets: $25
must be reserved in advance - limited seating
YWCA Rhode Island has partnered with DuoPictures to create a documentary about women in politics. This film is the second in a series entitled 'Women Holding Office.'
The documentary will premiere at this year's Women Holding Office Celebration.
For more information. - To purchase tickets for the event click here.
To preview the documentary, click here.
Kirkbrae Country Club - Lincoln, RI
keynote speaker: Rosie Hidalgo
director of public policy, Casa de Esperanza, Washington, DC
emcee: Arlene Violet
Rhode Island Attorney General 1985-1987
reception - complimentary hors d'oeuvres - cash bar
tickets: $25
must be reserved in advance - limited seating
YWCA Rhode Island has partnered with DuoPictures to create a documentary about women in politics. This film is the second in a series entitled 'Women Holding Office.'
The documentary will premiere at this year's Women Holding Office Celebration.
For more information. - To purchase tickets for the event click here.
To preview the documentary, click here.
Monday, April 21, 2014
Rhode Map RI
Mark Your Calendars: During the first two weeks of May, there are 6 opportunities across the State to learn about and provide feedback on ideas for growing Rhode Island’s economy and providing for healthy homes, neighborhoods and communities.
See the attached flyer for the schedule of events.
See the attached flyer for the schedule of events.
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