By Steve Klamkin WPRO News
Governor Gina Raimondo highlighted new rules governing lobbying in Rhode Island at a ceremonial bill signing in the State House Wednesday. She said the reforms are aimed at restoring the public’s trust in government by boosting transparency, and fostering economic development.
“Rhode Islanders deserve to have confidence in government,” Raimondo said. “They deserve to be able to trust government and know that government is working well and efficiently for them.”
“The economy grows in a place where things are transparent, and people know what the rules of the game are,” said Secretary of State Nellie Gorbea, whose office shepherded the reforms and will oversee them.
Gorbea said the reforms spell out who must register to lobby lawmakers and other government officials, outline a process to investigate suspected violations and strengthens penalties for violations.
Gorbea said citizens can lobby lawmakers and other government officials, but that paid lobbyists must register with her office.
“If you’re being paid to lobby, that’s a different kind of lobbying that you’re a citizen lobbyist. We’ve made it a lot clearer to figure out who’s a citizen lobbying, versus someone who’s paid or an organization that’s investing resources in a particular agenda.”
Gorbea said that by the time the law takes effect next January 1, her office will develop an online “Lobby Tracker Portal”.
