The Rhode Island GOP has filed a complaint with the Board of Ethics against Senator Valarie Lawson (D-East Providence), who is also Vice-President of the National Education Association of Rhode Island (NEARI.) The complaint says that Lawson appears to have violated state law by sponsoring, advocating and voting for the controversial ‘evergreen contract’ legislation that passed the General Assembly last week.
According to a press release, “Lawson voted for the legislation in the Senate Labor Committee after Patrick Crowley, lobbyist for NEARI, appeared before the committee. She also voted for the bill on the Senate floor after making a speech in support of it. This is a violation of R.I.G.L §§ 36-14-5(a), 36-14-5(d), 36-14-7(a) and Regulation 36-14-5002. Accordingly, Special Counsel for the R.I. Republican Party, Brandon S Bell, has filed a complaint with the R.I. Ethics Commission regarding Lawson’s failure to recuse herself from consideration of the perpetual teacher contract legislation.”
The RI GOP’s argument is that the NEARI “is a bargaining agent for teachers. There are only two major bargaining agents for teachers in Rhode Island: NEARI and the Rhode Island Federation of Teachers. As a Senator, Valarie Lawson sponsored, advocated and voted for legislation which directly benefited the NEARI. The legislation prevents an employer from altering the wages and benefits of teachers
after a collective agreement has expired.”
In response to the complaint, Sen. Valarie Lawson said, “I sought and received guidance from staff at the Ethics Commission. Additionally, the Senate’s attorney followed up with Ethics Commission to confirm my understanding of the discharge of my legislative responsibilities as it relates to this legislation. I followed the guidance that was provided.”
NEARI Executive Director Robert A. Walsh Jr. said in a statement that “Val Lawson is a stickler for the rules. She attended the briefing for state senators conducted by the RI Ethics Commission and followed up with their executive director, Jason Gramitt, with questions on this topic. In fact, this matter was so clear-cut that neither the Ethics Commission staff nor Senate legal staff felt that she needed an opinion in writing.
“Obviously, we are extremely disappointed that the RI GOP would use the RI Ethics Commission for a political attack because they disagree with the underlying legislation. We are also shocked that the so-called paper-of-record’s reporter turned this into an issue by tweeting out a comment before checking her notes, effectively making herself part of the story and virtually inviting the filing of this complaint.”
WPRO’s Matt Allen discussed the complaint with GOP lawyer Brandon Bell. Listen to the conversation below:
Listen to “Brandon Bell – Conflict of Interest Complaint Filed Against Sen. Valarie Lawson” on Spreaker.
Read the full complaint below.
