PROVIDENCE, R.I. -- As the executive director of Common Cause of Rhode Island, John Marion is no stranger to how things work in the General Assembly, including the introduction - moments before a committee vote - of a major and previously unseen rewrite of a bill.
Journal file photo/ Connie Grosch
Johm Marion
Earlier this week, Marion added his voice to those suggesting changes to the Senate Rules Committee.
His proposal: "Require 48 hours between a substitute amendment being introduced in committee and any committee vote on such amendment. This can be done by a vote to amend the Senate rules on Proceedings in Committee.''
"This change would allow rank and file legislators, executive agency leaders, and members of the public and press the time necessary to digest and evaluate the implications of substitute amendment,'' he wrote in a letter to the committee.
The Senate Rules Committee met, heard suggestions, but has not yet voted.