November 4, 2014.<\/strong>\u00a0 The referendum on whether to convene a constitutional convention loses by<\/a> 163,749 (55.1%) to 133,445 (44.9%); the absentee ballot total was 6,724 (50.1%) to 6,684 (49.9%). \u00a0Data is from the Rhode Island Board of Elections as of November 6, 2014; final certified results likely to vary. \u00a0Voter turnout was 40.1%, down from 45.2% in 2010. \u00a0See J.H. Snider\u2019s blog post<\/a>\u00a0post-mortem.<\/p>\n October 30, 2014.<\/strong> \u00a0Rhode Island Board of Elections hearing<\/a> concerning allegations of campaign finance violations by Coalition for Responsible Government. \u00a0See J.H. Snider and Beverly Clay’s\u00a0blog post<\/a> on the complaint that led to the hearing.<\/p>\n Rhode Island’s last constitutional convention in 1986<\/p><\/div>\n October 1, 2014.<\/strong> \u00a0Secretary of State announces release of the 2014 Voter Information Handbook<\/em>.<\/p>\n September 3, 2014.<\/strong> \u00a0Release of the Bi-Partisan Preparatory Commission Report<\/a>.<\/p>\n August 26, 2014.<\/strong> \u00a0Fifth and final meeting<\/a> of the\u00a0Bi-partisan Preparatory Commission. \u00a0See RhodeIslandConCon.info\u2019s blog post<\/a>\u00a0and the interview with Commissioner Steve Frias<\/a> about the meeting.<\/p>\n August 25, 2014.<\/strong>\u00a0 Secretary of State\u2019s Voter Information Handbook\u00a0deadline for\u00a0the\u00a0Bi-partisan Preparatory Commission Report<\/p>\n August 21, 2014.<\/strong> \u00a0Fourth\u00a0meeting<\/a> and third\u00a0public hearing of the\u00a0Bi-partisan Preparatory Commission.<\/p>\n August 19, 2014.<\/strong> \u00a0Third\u00a0meeting<\/a> and second\u00a0public hearing of the\u00a0Bi-partisan Preparatory Commission.<\/p>\n August, 7, 2014.<\/strong> \u00a0Second\u00a0meeting<\/a> and first public hearing of the\u00a0Bi-partisan Preparatory Commission. \u00a0See J.H. Snider\u2019s blog posts on the report<\/a> and meeting<\/a>, including links to the\u00a0webcast and written testimony.<\/p>\n July 31, 2014.<\/strong>\u00a0 First meeting<\/a>\u00a0of the Bi-partisan Preparatory Commission to Assemble Information on Constitutional Convention Questions in Preparation for a Vote by the Qualified Electors on the Holding of a Constitutional Convention in Accordance with Article XIV, \u00a0Section 2 of the Rhode Island Constitution. \u00a0Covered in J.H. Snider\u2019s blog post<\/a>.<\/p>\n July 30, 2014.<\/strong>\u00a0 Bi-partisan Preparatory Commission was to report its\u00a0findings to the public by this date (the deadline was not met).<\/p>\n July 29, 2014. \u00a0<\/strong>The Rhode Island General Assembly posts on its website the names of the remaining two Bi-Partisan Preparatory Commission members and posts public notice of its July 31, 2014 first public meeting. \u00a0The law dictates that 48 hours notice is necessary before holding such a public\u00a0meeting.<\/p>\n July 24, 2014.<\/strong> \u00a0The Rhode Island General Assembly posts on its website the first 10 of 12 members appointed to the Bi-Partisan Preparatory Commission.<\/p>\n July 10, 2014.<\/strong>\u00a0 Campaign finance reports due to the Rhode Island Board of Elections. \u00a0According to the filings, the no campaign has raised $59,000 and the yes campaign $0<\/a> as of July 10, 2014. \u00a0On July 19, 2014, the Providence Journal<\/em> reported<\/a> on the Board of Elections\u00a0filing.<\/p>\n June 30, 2014.<\/strong>\u00a0\u00a0Joint Resolution\u00a08061<\/a>\u00a0signed by the Governor.<\/p>\n June 23, 2014.<\/strong>\u00a0\u00a0Joint Resolution\u00a02537<\/a>\u00a0signed by the Governor.<\/p>\n June 11, 2014.<\/strong> \u00a0Joint Resolutions 2538<\/a>,\u00a08060<\/a>\u00a0and 8061<\/a>\u00a0passed by the General Assembly.<\/p>\n June 18, 2014.<\/strong>\u00a0\u00a0Joint Resolutions 2538<\/a>\u00a0and 8060<\/a>\u00a0signed by the Governor.<\/p>\n April 29, 2014.<\/strong> \u00a0Hearing<\/a> to consider proposed constitutional amendments that could serve as the basis of the Preparatory Commission.<\/p>\n April 16, 2014.<\/strong> Joint Resolution 8061<\/a>\u00a0(creating a bipartisan preparatory commission) introduced in the Rhode Island House.<\/p>\n February 27, 2014.<\/strong> \u00a0Joint Resolutions\u00a02537<\/a>\u00a0 (creating a bipartisan preparatory commission) and\u00a02538<\/a>\u00a0(placing the constitutional convention referendum on the ballot) introduced in the Rhode Island Senate. August 20, 2014.<\/strong> \u00a0Launch of Renew RI<\/a>, which seeks to\u00a0\u201cencourages citizens of our state to study the issues involved so they can make an informed decision on [the constitutional convention referendum] when they cast their votes on Nov. 4. \u201d<\/p>\n April 30, 2014.<\/strong> \u00a0Launch of Citizens for Responsible Government<\/a>, which describes itself as \u201ca diverse and growing coalition of Rhode Islanders and Rhode Island organizations who are opposed to a Constitutional Convention.\u201d<\/p>\n J.H. Snider profiles the two coalitions in his September 7, 2014 blog post:\u00a0Citizens for Responsible Government vs. RenewRI<\/a> (As of October 18, 2014, this section will\u00a0no longer be maintained. \u00a0Use the menu system for the latest news, op-eds, etc.)<\/strong><\/p>\n Op-ed<\/a> in GoLocalProv<\/em> by J.H. Snider satirizing the debate about the constitutional convention referendum currently taking place in Rhode Island.<\/p>\n Op-ed<\/a> in the Warwick Beacon<\/em>\u00a0by \u00a0Robert O. Flanders arguing that state constitutional conventions have served to enhance rather than diminish the people\u2019s rights.<\/p>\n Op-ed<\/a> in the Providence Journal<\/em> by \u00a0Ken Block arguing that a state constitutional convention represents a rare opportunity to fix Rhode Island\u2019s broken system of government.<\/p>\n Op-ed<\/a> in the Providence Journal<\/em> by \u00a0Steve Brown arguing that a state constitutional convention would be dominated by special interests and is, in any case, unnecessary.<\/p>\n Op-ed<\/a> in the Providence Journal<\/em> by George Nee arguing that a state constitutional convention would hurt Rhode Island unions.<\/p>\n Op-ed<\/a> in the Providence Journal<\/em> by Philip\u00a0West arguing for\u00a0a state constitutional agenda based on democratic reforms that the General Assembly wouldn\u2019t\u00a0otherwise pass.<\/p>\n Op-ed<\/a> in the Providence Journal<\/em> by J.H. Snider and Beverly Clay critiquing the description \u00a0of Question #3<\/a> in the 2014 Voter Information Handbook.<\/p>\n Op-ed<\/a> in the Providence Journal<\/em> by Jack Partridge, delegate to Rhode Island\u2019s 1973 constitutional convention and former chair of Common Cause Rhode Island,\u00a0providing an\u00a0account of the discrepancy between the intent of the Framers of the Bi-partisan Preparatory provision in Rhode Island\u2019s Constitution and its implementation in 2014 by Rhode Island\u2019s legislature.<\/p>\n Op-ed<\/a>\u00a0in the\u00a0Providence Journal<\/em>\u00a0by\u00a0Pablo Rodriquez arguing that the General Assembly is a better institutional vehicle for democratic reform because of the high cost of a\u00a0state constitutional convention and the risk that it would be corrupted and serve to restrict social rights such as a woman\u2019s right to choose.<\/p>\n Op-ed<\/a> in the Providence Journal<\/em> by Mike Stenhouse observing that anything passed by a state constitutional convention must be approved by voters and arguing that the people are not the enemy.<\/p>\n The Rhode Island Center for Freedom & Prosperity issues a blueprint<\/a> for how the constitutional convention process should work and what issues a constitutional convention could address.<\/p>\n Op-ed<\/a> in the Providence Journal<\/em> by J.H. Snider and Beverly Clay reviewing the history of Rhode Island\u2019s bi-partisan preparatory commissions and arguing for a better method of information the public about issues a state constitutional convention could address.<\/p>\n Op-ed<\/a> in GoLocal Prov<\/em> by Moore, Russell arguing for a Rhode Island state constitutional convention by describing\u00a0the opposition, its arguments, and the types of issues a constitutional convention could address.<\/p>\n Op-ed<\/a>\u00a0in the\u00a0Providence Journal<\/em>\u00a0by J.H. Snider\u00a0and Beverly Clay reviewing the history of Rhode Island\u2019s constitutional convention campaign finance disclosure and making the case for better disclosure.<\/p>\n RhodeIslandConCon.info compiles a documentary history\u00a0of Rhode Island\u2019s 1994<\/a>\u00a0and 2004<\/a>\u00a0state constitutional convention referendums.<\/p>\n Op-ed<\/a> in the\u00a0Providence Journal<\/em>\u00a0by Timothy Murphy, a Brown University Professor, arguing that a constitutional convention is the only likely mechanism by which\u00a0Rhode Island\u2019s General Assembly\u00a0will become subject to meaningful ethics reform because the General Assembly has consistently refused to pass\u00a0such reform itself.<\/p>\n Op-ed<\/a> in the Providence Journal<\/em> by Jack Partridge, delegate to Rhode Island\u2019s 1973 constitutional convention and former chair of Common Cause Rhode Island,\u00a0providing a first hand account of Rhode Island\u2019s successful 1973 constitutional convention and arguing that\u00a0fears of a future convention don\u2019t gibe with that experience.<\/p>\n RhodeIslandConCon.info launches FAQ<\/a> to address questions about state constitutional conventions.<\/p>\n Event<\/a> at the\u00a0Hassenfeld Institute for Public Leadership, Bryant University, \u201cA Constitutional Convention for Rhode Island?,\u201d 8:30 am to 1:00 pm. \u00a0J.H. Snider\u00a0reviews<\/a>\u00a0the conference, including providing conference links.<\/p>\n Op-ed<\/a>\u00a0in the\u00a0Providence Journal<\/em>\u00a0by J.H. Snider and Sage Snider\u00a0providing a historical, political, and democratic functional analysis of Rhode Island\u2019s November 4, 2014 referendum to convene a constitutional convention.<\/p>\n Launch of RhodeIslandConCon.info.<\/p>\n Public Policy Polling releases a public opinion survey<\/a> concerning propositions on the November 2014 ballot. \u00a0The question on the upcoming constitutional convention referendum finds 40% in favor, 25% opposed, and 35% undecided.<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”1_3″ _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_padding=”|||” global_colors_info=”{}” custom_padding__hover=”|||”][et_pb_text admin_label=”Text Democratic Purpose” _builder_version=”4.16″ background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n![\"Rhode](\"https:\/\/rhodeisland.concon.info\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/08\/1986RhodeIslandConstitutionalConvention-Small.jpg\")
<\/a>
\n[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text admin_label=”Text Yes and No Coalitions” _builder_version=”4.16″ background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\nLaunch of the Yes and No Coalitions<\/h2>\n
\n[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text admin_label=”Text Highlights” _builder_version=”4.16″ background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\nHighlights<\/h2>\n
October 17, 2014<\/h4>\n
![\"ProvidenceJournalFrontPageThumbnail--PNG\"](\"https:\/\/rhodeisland.concon.info\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/03\/ProvidenceJournalFrontPageThumbnail-PNG-160x300.png\")
<\/a>October 16, 2014<\/h4>\nOctober 5, 2014<\/h4>\n
October 3, 2014<\/h4>\n
September 29, 2014<\/h4>\n
September 28, 2014<\/h4>\n
September 25, 2014<\/h4>\n
September 16, 2014<\/h4>\n
August 18, 2014<\/h4>\n
August 14, 2014<\/h4>\n
August 7, 2014<\/h4>\n
August 2, 2014<\/h4>\n
July 7, 2014<\/h4>\n
June 13, 2014<\/h4>\n
June 12, 2014<\/h4>\n
June 4, 2014<\/h4>\n
May 22, 2014<\/h4>\n
April 25, 2014<\/h4>\n
March 29, 2014<\/h4>\n
March 21, 2014<\/h4>\n
March 20, 2014<\/h4>\n
January 31, 2013<\/h4>\n
Short Essay<\/h3>\n