STATEHOUSE – Rep. John G. Edwards (D-Dist. 70, Portsmouth, Tiverton) has introduced a bill that encourages more transparency for proposed charter-amending ballot questions.
The bill would require political parties and action committees advocating for any charter-amending question on a ballot to file a report of all the contributions it receives from any one source in excess of $100.
It would expand the law to include any town or city charter amendment considered at a Financial Town Meeting in addition to election ballots.
The House Judiciary Committee held a hearing on the bill (2012-H 7060) on Wednesday, Feb. 15, at the Rise of the House in the State House.
“It’s very simple,” Rep. Edwards said of the bill. “This is about increasing transparency.”
“It only makes sense for committees that advocate for a charter question at Financial Town Meetings to file reports, just like with everything else.”
An eye must be kept on the local level, not only the state level, he said.
“Sometimes charter questions have the potential to make a major change in how a city or town does business,” he said.
Co-sponsoring the legislation are Representatives Scott J. Guthrie (D-Dist. 28, Coventry), Rene R. Menard (D-Dist. 45, Lincoln, Cumberland), Jeremiah T. O’Grady (D-Dist. 46, Lincoln, Pawtucket) and Joy Hearn (D-Dist. 66, Barrington, East Providence).
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