Post by Logan on Feb 25, 2016 5:13:47 GMT -6
PROVIDENCE, R.I. — Should legislators found guilty of violations by the state Ethics Commission have the right to appeal through a jury trial?
That could be a sticking point this year as lawmakers once again debate the perennial push for reinstating the Ethics Commission's oversight of the General Assembly that was lost through a 2009 court decision. The effort has seen varying degrees of enthusiasm, but a number of lawmakers suggested Tuesday that this could be the year for a change.
"The time for discussion is over. The time for action is this year," Sen. William Conley said.
While a number of lawmakers on the Senate Judiciary Committee — the first legislative panel to take on the issue this year — appeared receptive to a "compromise" bill that includes the trial provision, one "good government" advocate after another lined up during a three-hour hearing Tuesday night to say otherwise.
Read more: www.providencejournal.com/news/20160224/ri-general-assembly-divergent-ethics-bills-get-airing
That could be a sticking point this year as lawmakers once again debate the perennial push for reinstating the Ethics Commission's oversight of the General Assembly that was lost through a 2009 court decision. The effort has seen varying degrees of enthusiasm, but a number of lawmakers suggested Tuesday that this could be the year for a change.
"The time for discussion is over. The time for action is this year," Sen. William Conley said.
While a number of lawmakers on the Senate Judiciary Committee — the first legislative panel to take on the issue this year — appeared receptive to a "compromise" bill that includes the trial provision, one "good government" advocate after another lined up during a three-hour hearing Tuesday night to say otherwise.
Read more: www.providencejournal.com/news/20160224/ri-general-assembly-divergent-ethics-bills-get-airing