The Scoop: R.I. Society of Certified Public Accountants Endorses Almonte

Ernie Almonte Receives Endorsement by R.I. Society of Certified Public Accountants

Independent candidate for General Treasurer Almonte has received the endorsement of the Rhode Island Society of Certified Public Accountants (RISCPA) Board of Directors.

“Ernie’s strong financial and managerial credentials make him the clear choice for Rhode Island’s next General Treasurer,” said Robert Mancini, Executive Director of the RISCPA and echoed by Jeffrey Wadovick, Chairman of RISCPA’s PAC. “His work on nationally accredited financial literacy programs will help as he advocates for increased access to financial literacy education across the state.”

Block Urges Supporters to Vote for Question 3

In an email thanking supporters following his defeat, Ken Block has called for voters to vote yes on Question 3 on Election Day in November. Question 3 refers to the approval of a Constitutional Convention.

"We have all learned that change can be made from outside of government – and we will continue to push for that change!  If the Master Lever can be eliminated with a huge push from outsiders, imagine what else we can do as well," stated Block.

"I have decided to personally get involved in the effort to ensure that Rhode Island votes YES on Question 3 this November to approve a Constitutional Convention. I urge you to vote yes for this crucial vehicle of reform – and to get as many family, friends and neighbors as possible to do so as well," Block continued.

SEIU 1199 NE Endorses Gina Raimondo

SEIU 1199 New England has become the 13th labor organization to support Gina Raimondo for Governor.
 
“We look forward to working to elect Gina as governor because she is on the side of our families,” said Shirley Lomba, a C.N.A. at a nursing home in Providence. “Allan Fung is not on the side of Rhode Island’s working families and even opposes a raise in the minimum wage.”
 
“I’m proud to have the endorsement of SEIU 1199 New England in this election,” said Gina. “We need to ensure that all Rhode Islanders have access to quality, affordable health care, good public schools, reliable, efficient public transportation and a path to higher education.
 

10th Annual Justice Awards

The 10th Annual Justice Awards will be held September 18 in the third floor conference room at the Office of the Attorney General.

Those being honored are:

Brian Johnson, owner of Doc Shredding Corp., will receive the Attorney General Herbert DeSimone Award for Consumer Protection

The Rhode Island State Police Computer Crimes Unit and the Rhode Island Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force will receive the Attorney General Richard Israel Award for Crime Prevention

Michelle and Roy Lavallee, founders of “Heels to Heal Rhode Island,” will receive the Attorney General Sheldon Whitehouse Award for Domestic Violence Prevention

Scott Marshall, DVM, the state veterinarian for the Division of Agriculture at the Department of Environmental Management, will receive the Attorney General James O’Neil Award for Environmental Protection

Smithfield Police Department Detective Sergeant Michael T. Smith, Jr. will receive the Attorney General Dennis Roberts Award for Drug Enforcement

Robert McKenna, Associate Dean and Director of the Justice System training and Research Institute at Roger Williams University, will receive the Attorney General Patrick Lynch Award for Law Enforcement – Non Uniform

Paul Palange, publisher of The Senior Digest, will receive the Attorney General Jeffrey Pine Award for Senior Protection

North Providence Police Patrolman Ryan Emerson and Patrolman Ryan Furlong will receive the Attorney General Arlene Violet Award for Law Enforcement - Uniform

Alison Bologna, WJAR-TV news anchor and owner of Shri Yoga Studio, will receive the Attorney General Peter Kilmartin Award for Community Service  

Former attorneys general, Dennis Roberts, Jim O’Neil, Jeffrey Pine, and Patrick Lynch and current Attorney General Peter Kilmartin will honor the recipients.

“There are people and organizations all around us that quietly do good work every day without any expectation of being honored or recognized, which is the exact reason they deserve to be singled out.  Some Justice Award recipients are being recognized for exemplary service in their official duties while others are being recognized for their role in raising awareness of important issues, providing a service to an underserved community, or creating a platform for change.   Whatever the reason, we are all better off for their contributions to the criminal justice system and to our community,” said Attorney General Peter Kilmartin.

City Council to Consider Legislation Seeking to Review and Strengthen Lobbyist Registration Program

In 2013, the City Clerk implemented the City’s lobbyist registration program based on a recently enacted ordinance. The program requires lobbyists to register with the City and to file regular reports on their activities carried out to influence municipal decisions.  The ordinance, which was developed with assistance from Common Cause Rhode Island, was the first city-level program in Rhode Island.  The program, which has been in operation for approximately one year, has contributed to open government in Providence.

Councilman Samuel D. Zurier (Ward Two) worked with Common Cause Rhode Island to review the current program in light of national best practices and recent experience at both the municipal and State level.  Their research produced ideas for ways to amend the existing ordinance to strengthen both the scope of its coverage and its reporting requirements; Zurier has introduced an amended ordinance based on that review.  The Council also will consider a resolution requesting that the Clerk’s office report to the Committee on Ordinances regarding its experience implementing the current law.  Both the ordinance and the resolution will be presented to the City Council as part of the docket for its meeting on Thursday, September 18th at 7 p.m.