[et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ inner_shadow=”on” fullwidth=”on” _builder_version=”4.16″ background_color=”#c9c49d” background_image=”https:\/\/rhodeisland.concon.info\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/03\/Rhode-Island-Legislature.jpg” parallax=”on” parallax_method=”css” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_fullwidth_header title=”Rhode Island’s November 4, 2014 Constitutional Convention Referendum” subhead=”An Information Clearinghouse” text_orientation=”center” content_max_width=”none” admin_label=”Sitewide Header” _builder_version=”4.16″ background_color=”rgba(255, 255, 255, 0)” global_colors_info=”{}” button_one_text_size__hover_enabled=”off” button_two_text_size__hover_enabled=”off” button_one_text_color__hover_enabled=”off” button_two_text_color__hover_enabled=”off” button_one_border_width__hover_enabled=”off” button_two_border_width__hover_enabled=”off” button_one_border_color__hover_enabled=”off” button_two_border_color__hover_enabled=”off” button_one_border_radius__hover_enabled=”off” button_two_border_radius__hover_enabled=”off” button_one_letter_spacing__hover_enabled=”off” button_two_letter_spacing__hover_enabled=”off” button_one_bg_color__hover_enabled=”off” button_two_bg_color__hover_enabled=”off”][\/et_pb_fullwidth_header][\/et_pb_section][et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ _builder_version=”4.16″ background_color=”#f3ffc1″ transparent_background=”off” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_row column_structure=”1_3,1_3,1_3″ _builder_version=”4.16″ background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”1_3″ _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_padding=”|||” global_colors_info=”{}” custom_padding__hover=”|||”][et_pb_text admin_label=”Text” _builder_version=”4.16″ background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
In recent decades, the quality of public deliberation about periodic\u00a0constitutional convention referendums in Rhode Island and elsewhere has been low. \u00a0In particular, there has been a lack of historical, comparative, and normative\u00a0information to help people understand this important democratic institution.<\/p>\n
RhodeIslandConCon.info and its accompanying website, The State Constitutional Convention Clearinghouse<\/a>, seek to rectify this problem. \u00a0 In particular, RhodeIslandConCon.info seeks to elevate the quality of public deliberation\u00a0on issues relevant to Rhode Island’s\u00a0November 4, 2014 referendum on whether to convene a constitutional constitution, and, if voters pass the referendum, issues relevant to subsequent stages in the constitutional convention process. [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text admin_label=”Text” _builder_version=”4.25.1″ background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat” hover_enabled=”0″ global_colors_info=”{}” sticky_enabled=”0″]<\/p>\n J.H. Snider is the president of iSolon.org,\u00a0a public policy institute that focuses on the most difficult areas of democratic reform\u2500where elected officials have a conflict of interest in bringing about reforms that might reduce their own power. \u00a0From 2011-2013 he was a fellow at Harvard University’s Edmond J. Safra Center for Ethics, and during Spring Semester 2009 a fellow at the Harvard Kennedy School of Government’s Shorenstein Center on Media, Politics and Public Policy. \u00a0He has also been a fellow at the New America Foundation, American Political Science Association, and Northwestern University. \u00a0Dr. Snider has a Ph.D. in American Government from Northwestern University and an A.B. in Social Studies from Harvard College. \u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Email Address<\/strong> Recent Op-eds Constitutional Convention and the out-of-state-money bogeyman<\/a>, Providence Journal<\/em>, October 24, 2014.<\/p>\n Constitutional Convention purpose? Democratic reform<\/a>\u00a0, Valley Breeze<\/em>,\u00a0October 21, 2014.<\/p>\n 1787: Vote No Against Convening a National Constitutional Convention<\/a>\u00a0(a satire), GoLocalProv<\/em>, October 17, 2014.<\/p>\n R.I. handbook shows blatant bias<\/a>,\u00a0<\/strong>Providence Journal<\/em>, September 25, 2014.<\/p>\n R.I.\u2019s poor preparation for convention<\/a>,\u00a0Providence Journal<\/em>, August 2, 2014.<\/p>\n \u2018Dark money\u2019 drives R.I. constitutional convention votes<\/a>,\u00a0<\/span>Providence Journal<\/em>, June 13, 2014.<\/span><\/p>\n R.I. needs a constitutional convention<\/a>, Providence Journal<\/em>, March 21, 2014.<\/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_testimonial author=”Thomas Jefferson, U.S. President (inscribed on Jefferson Memorial, Washington, DC)” admin_label=”Testimonial” _builder_version=”4.16″ background_color=”#7ebec5″ background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat” global_colors_info=”{}”]I am not an advocate for frequent changes in laws and constitutions. But laws and institutions must go hand in hand with the progress of the human mind. As that becomes more developed, more enlightened, as new discoveries are made, new truths discovered and manners and opinions change, with the change of circumstances, institutions must advance also to keep pace with the times. We might as well require a man to wear still the coat which fitted him when a boy as civilized society to remain ever under the regimen of their barbarous ancestors. Beverly Clay was the Research Director of Operation Clean Government from its founding in 1993 until 2011. \u00a0She compiled a detailed documentary history, published on RhodeIslandConCon.info, of the 2004 campaigns both for and against the 2004 referendum to convene a state constitutional convention in Rhode Island.\u00a0 OCG has been dedicated to promoting \u201chonest, responsible, and responsive state government.\u201d\u00a0 During Clay’s tenure as research director, OCG sponsored the State of the State (a public affairs and political TV talk show), candidate schools, educational forums, and Golden Broom awards (to recognize outstanding contributions to making Rhode Island government more democratically accountable). OCG filed campaign finance complaints and many ethics complaints against legislators.\u00a0 Clay is a retired teacher.<\/p>\n Email Address<\/strong> Recent Op-eds Constitutional Convention and the out-of-state-money bogeyman<\/a>, Providence Journal<\/em>, October 24, 2014.<\/p>\n Constitutional Convention purpose? Democratic reform<\/a>\u00a0, Valley Breeze<\/em>,\u00a0October 21, 2014.<\/p>\n R.I. handbook shows blatant bias<\/a>,\u00a0<\/strong>Providence Journal<\/em>, September 25, 2014. Permanent Link<\/a>.<\/p>\n R.I.\u2019s poor preparation for convention<\/a>,\u00a0Providence Journal<\/em>, August 2, 2014.<\/p>\n \u2018Dark money\u2019 drives R.I. constitutional convention votes<\/a>,\u00a0<\/span>Providence Journal<\/em>, June 13, 2014. Permanent Link<\/a>.<\/span><\/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_divider show_divider=”off” disabled_on=”on|on|off” admin_label=”Divider” _builder_version=”4.16″ height=”32px” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_divider][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/rhodeisland.concon.info\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/01\/ClayBeverly-Headshot.jpg” align_tablet=”center” align_phone=”center” align_last_edited=”on|desktop” admin_label=”Image of Beverly Clay” _builder_version=”4.16″ animation_style=”slide” animation_direction=”left” animation_duration=”500ms” animation_intensity_slide=”10%” animation=”left” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_image][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”1_3″ _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_padding=”|||” global_colors_info=”{}” custom_padding__hover=”|||”][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row column_structure=”1_3,1_3,1_3″ _builder_version=”4.16″ background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat” custom_padding=”24px|||||” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”1_3″ _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_padding=”|||” global_colors_info=”{}” custom_padding__hover=”|||”][et_pb_text admin_label=”Text Advisory Committee Header” _builder_version=”4.16″ background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text admin_label=”Text” _builder_version=”4.16″ background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n Patrick T. Conley was a delegate to Rhode Island\u2019s 1973 Constitutional Convention, where he drafted and championed Article XIV, Section 2 providing for a periodic, self-executing constitutional referendum, which will be placed on the ballot for the fourth time in Rhode Island history on November 4, 2014.\u00a0 \u00a0He was general counsel to the president of Rhode Island\u2019s 1986 Constitutional Convention, chaired both Rhode Island\u2019s bicentennial celebrations of independence in 1976 and celebration of statehood in 1990, and was appointed as Rhode Island\u2019s first historian laureate in 2012.\u00a0 He was a professor of history and constitutional law at Providence College and authored or edited twenty-seven books, including The Rhode Island State Constitution: A Reference Guide<\/i> and Democracy in Decline: Rhode Island\u2019s Constitutional Development 1776-1851<\/i>. \u00a0<\/i>He founded\u00a0the Rhode Island Heritage Commission and Rhode Island Publications Society, and is currently president of the Rhode Island Heritage Harbor Museum and the Rhode Island Heritage Hall of Fame.<\/p>\n Recent Op-ed Robert G. Flanders, Jr., is one of Rhode Island\u2019s foremost experts on constitutional law, including Article XIV, Section 2 of Rhode Island\u2019s Constitution.\u00a0 He is a former associate justice of the Rhode Island Supreme Court and has taught constitutional law at Roger Williams University and law & public policy at Brown University.\u00a0 His numerous publications on Rhode Island law include The Rhode Island State Constitution: A Reference Guide<\/i> (with Patrick Conley), Rhode Island Civil and Appellate Procedure with Commentaries<\/i>, and The Rhode Island Evidence Manual<\/i>.\u00a0 His awards include a Common Cause Public Service Award and an Operation Clean Government \u201cGolden Broom\u201d Award.\u00a0 A graduate of Brown University and Harvard Law School, he currently serves on the Brown University Leadership Advisory Committee and Brown University Advisory Committee on Athletics.<\/p>\n Email Address<\/strong> Recent Op-ed Timothy P. Murphy is a Professor at the Alpert Medical School at Brown University and Director of its Vascular Disease Research Center.\u00a0 Murphy\u2019s interests encompass a search for the roots of not only medical but also political disease.\u00a0 In that regard, he is a member of Common Cause Rhode Island and has been concerned with reforming Rhode Island\u2019s political ethics laws, which he describes as \u201ca glaring defect in our system of governance that erodes confidence of our citizens and companies that might consider doing business here.\u201d\u00a0 In particular, he seeks constitutional reform to ensure that Rhode Island\u2019s Ethics Commission can provide effective oversight of the General Assembly.<\/p>\n Recent Op-eds<\/strong> Rhode Island should vote for constitutional convention<\/a>,\u00a0Providence Journal<\/em>, June 4, 2014.<\/p>\n 38 Studios shows need for reform<\/a>,\u00a0Providence Journal<\/em>, October 9, 2014. John J. Partridge was a delegate to Rhode Island\u2019s 1973 Constitutional Convention, where he championed Article XIV, Section 2 providing for a periodic, self-executing constitutional referendum, which will be placed on the ballot for the fourth time in Rhode Island history on November 4, 2014.\u00a0 He also championed Article IV, Section 9, providing for reports of campaign contributions and expenses.\u00a0 During 1984, he served on Rhode Island\u2019s Bi-Partisan Preparatory Commission preparing for the next constitutional convention referendum.\u00a0 He is currently senior counsel at the law firm of Partridge Snow & Hahn LLP.\u00a0 He was chair of the Rhode Island Chapter of Common Cause and has also served on the boards of Rhode Island Public Radio, Boys and Girls Club of Pawtucket, Memorial Hospital of Rhode Island, Pawtucket Foundation, Ocean State Charities Trust, and Providence College\u2019s President\u2019s Council.\u00a0 An accomplished author, his two crime novels, Carom Shot and Straight Pool, are both set in Rhode Island.\u00a0 He is a graduate of Providence College and Harvard Law School.\u00a0 He received an honorary doctor of laws degree from Providence College in 2011.\u00a0 He acted as legal counsel to the Greater Providence Chamber of Commerce for twenty-eight years.<\/p>\n Recent Op-eds<\/strong><\/p>\n R.I. insiders shortchange the voters<\/a>, Providence Journal<\/em>, September 16, 2014.<\/p>\n Update and reform R.I. government<\/a>, Providence Journal<\/em>, May 22, 2014<\/p>\n Sage Snider, daughter of J.H. Snider, is currently\u00a0a graduate student in the Public Humanities Program at Brown University, where she focuses on American history and museum studies,\u00a0and is also a\u00a0program coordinator at the Providence-based educational non-profit Living History, which aims \u201cto introduce low-income urban high school students to careers and post-secondary study in the fields of history and historic preservation, and to train those students to provide historical education for the general public.\u201d\u00a0 Prior to attending Brown, she was an intern at the Smithsonian National Museum of American History. She has an undergraduate degree in Humanities from Yale University and\u00a0is a graduate of the United States Senate Youth Program.<\/p>\n
\n[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_divider show_divider=”off” disabled_on=”on|on|off” admin_label=”Divider” _builder_version=”4.16″ height=”95px” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_divider][et_pb_text admin_label=”Text Website Header” _builder_version=”4.16″ background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\nWebsite<\/span><\/h1>\n
J.H. Snider, Editor<\/h2>\n
Snider@RhodeIslandConCon.info<\/p>\n
<\/strong>Constitutional Convention records speak for themselves<\/a>,Warwick Beacon<\/em>, November 4, 2014.<\/p>\n
\n[\/et_pb_testimonial][et_pb_divider show_divider=”off” disabled_on=”on|on|off” admin_label=”Divider” _builder_version=”4.16″ height=”105px” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_divider][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/rhodeisland.concon.info\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/01\/11-09-21-SafraCenterPhoto-HighResolution.jpeg.jpg” alt=”J.H. Snider” align_tablet=”center” align_phone=”center” align_last_edited=”on|desktop” admin_label=”Image of J.H. Snider” _builder_version=”4.16″ animation=”off” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_image][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”1_3″ _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_padding=”|||” global_colors_info=”{}” custom_padding__hover=”|||”][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row column_structure=”1_3,1_3,1_3″ _builder_version=”4.16″ background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”1_3″ _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_padding=”|||” global_colors_info=”{}” custom_padding__hover=”|||”][et_pb_text admin_label=”Text” _builder_version=”4.16″ background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\nBeverly Clay, Researcher<\/h2>\n
Clay@RhodeIslandConCon.info<\/p>\n
<\/strong>Constitutional Convention records speak for themselves<\/a>,Warwick Beacon<\/em>, November 4, 2014.<\/p>\nAdvisory Committee<\/span><\/h1>\n
Patrick T. Conley<\/h2>\n
\n<\/strong>History shows there is no need to fear Constitutional Convention<\/a>,\u00a0Providence Journal<\/em>, October 31, 2014.
\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_divider show_divider=”off” disabled_on=”on|on|off” admin_label=”Divider” _builder_version=”4.16″ height=”95px” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_divider][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/rhodeisland.concon.info\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/01\/ConleyPatrick-Headshot.jpg” alt=”Professor Patrick Conley” align_tablet=”center” align_phone=”center” align_last_edited=”on|desktop” admin_label=”Image of Patrick Conley” _builder_version=”4.16″ animation_style=”slide” animation_direction=”left” animation_duration=”500ms” animation_intensity_slide=”10%” animation=”left” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_image][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”1_3″ _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_padding=”|||” global_colors_info=”{}” custom_padding__hover=”|||”][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row column_structure=”1_3,1_3,1_3″ _builder_version=”4.16″ background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”1_3″ _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_padding=”|||” global_colors_info=”{}” custom_padding__hover=”|||”][et_pb_text admin_label=”Text” _builder_version=”4.16″ background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\nRobert G. Flanders, Jr.<\/h2>\n
\nRobert.Flanders@RhodeIslandConCon.info<\/p>\n
\n<\/strong>Constitutional conventions historically expand rights<\/a>, Warwick Beacon<\/em>, October 16, 2014.
\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_divider show_divider=”off” disabled_on=”on|on|off” admin_label=”Divider” _builder_version=”4.16″ height=”32px” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_divider][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/rhodeisland.concon.info\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/01\/FlandersRobert-Headshot.jpg” align_tablet=”center” align_phone=”center” align_last_edited=”on|desktop” admin_label=”Image of Robert G. Flanders” _builder_version=”4.16″ animation_style=”slide” animation_direction=”left” animation_duration=”500ms” animation_intensity_slide=”10%” animation=”left” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_image][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”1_3″ _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_padding=”|||” global_colors_info=”{}” custom_padding__hover=”|||”][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row column_structure=”1_3,1_3,1_3″ _builder_version=”4.16″ background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”1_3″ _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_padding=”|||” global_colors_info=”{}” custom_padding__hover=”|||”][et_pb_text admin_label=”Text” _builder_version=”4.16″ background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\nTimothy P. Murphy<\/h2>\n
\nInsiders maneuver against Rhode Island<\/a>,\u00a0Providence Journal<\/em>, October 28, 2014.<\/p>\n
\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_divider show_divider=”off” disabled_on=”on|on|off” admin_label=”Divider” _builder_version=”4.16″ height=”32px” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_divider][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/rhodeisland.concon.info\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/01\/MurphyTimothy-Headshot-HighResolutionInColor-PNG.png” align_tablet=”center” align_phone=”center” align_last_edited=”on|desktop” admin_label=”Image of Timothy P. Murphy” _builder_version=”4.16″ animation_style=”slide” animation_direction=”bottom” animation_duration=”500ms” animation_intensity_slide=”10%” animation=”bottom” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_image][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”1_3″ _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_padding=”|||” global_colors_info=”{}” custom_padding__hover=”|||”][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row column_structure=”1_3,1_3,1_3″ _builder_version=”4.16″ background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”1_3″ _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_padding=”|||” global_colors_info=”{}” custom_padding__hover=”|||”][et_pb_text admin_label=”Text” _builder_version=”4.16″ background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\nJohn J. Partridge<\/h2>\n
\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_divider show_divider=”off” disabled_on=”on|on|off” admin_label=”Divider” _builder_version=”4.16″ height=”32px” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_divider][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/rhodeisland.concon.info\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/01\/JohnPartridge-Headshot.jpg” align_tablet=”center” align_phone=”center” align_last_edited=”on|desktop” admin_label=”Image of John J. Partridge” _builder_version=”4.16″ animation_style=”slide” animation_direction=”left” animation_duration=”500ms” animation_intensity_slide=”10%” animation=”left” sticky=”off” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_image][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”1_3″ _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_padding=”|||” global_colors_info=”{}” custom_padding__hover=”|||”][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row column_structure=”1_3,1_3,1_3″ _builder_version=”4.16″ background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”1_3″ _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_padding=”|||” global_colors_info=”{}” custom_padding__hover=”|||”][et_pb_text admin_label=”Text” _builder_version=”4.16″ background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\nSage Snider<\/h2>\n