Rhode Island ballot news
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Rhode Island ballot headlines
Rhode Island looking into marijuana issue
PROVIDENCE, Rhode Island: A newly created commission in the state of Rhode Island may be the key to decriminalizing possession of small amounts of marijuana. The commission met at the State House on November 18, 2009 to discuss the issue of the drug. The panel included a criminal-defense attorney, a retired court administrator, a prisoner-rights activist, the head of the Rhode Island nurses’ association, a medical doctor and a Harvard University lecturer who wrote a book on the legalization and taxation of marijuana.
According to reports, the recommendation the group might make to the state: “roll back the state’s marijuana penalty laws to reduce the prison population and free the police to pursue other crimes.”[1]
Rhode Island Governor vetoes gay issue bill, says voters should decide
PROVIDENCE, Rhode Island: Governor Donald Carcieri has vetoed a bill that, if passed, would have enabled gay couples the right to plan funerals for their partners, the same rights that heterosexual couples have. Carcieri, who is an opponent of gay marriage, stated that the legislative bill would “erode” heterosexual marriages. Another aspect of Carcieri’s logic is his beliefs that the issue should be decided by voters.[2]
According to Carcieri: “If the General Assembly believes it would like to address the issue of domestic partnership, it should place the issue on the ballot and let the people of the State of Rhode Island decide.”
Rhode Island legislature considering state name change
PROVIDENCE, Rhode Island: The Rhode Island State Senate and Rhode Island House of Representatives voted overwhelmingly, by a score of 70-3, last week to bring the question of a state name-change to the voters. The state has the longest official name in the country: "State of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations". Supporters of the bill feel the name acts as a reminder of slavery in the state years ago. Representative Joseph Almeida, an African-American Democrat who sponsored the bill, said "It's high time for us to recognize that slavery happened on plantations in Rhode Island and decide that we don't want that chapter of our history to be a proud part of our name."[3]
Opponents of the bill say that it is an unnecessary glossing over of the state's history that undermines its tradition of religious liberty and tolerance for different viewpoints. Alfred Gemma, a Democratic representative who opposed the measure, said that the proposal amounted to a strategy of revisionism, which he felt "is going to divide people, not bring them together."
Governor Donald Carcieri, opposes the change, but lacks the authority to veto resolutions to constitutional amendments. His spokesperson, Amy Kempe, pointed out that "The historical definition of the word 'plantation' is 'settlement or colony' and is no way in reference to the most modern definition associated with slavery."[4]
Rep. Jon Brien proposes marriage constitutional amendment
Representative Jon Brien (D-Woonsocket) has introduced a bill in the Rhode Island State Legislature that proposes a constitutional amendment to the Rhode Island Constitution that would define marriage "as a lawful union between one man and one woman".[1]
Rhode Island Secretary of State proposes Saturday voting
Secretary of State Ralph Mollis is advocating a plan that would allow Rhode Island voters the chance to vote on the Saturday before Tuesday elections. His objective is to increase convenience and participation.[2]
References
- ↑ Rhode Island Catholic Editorial, Marriage is again under legal seige, May 8, 2008
- ↑ Providence Journal, R.I. secretary of state proposes Saturday voting, April 29, 2008
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