A press conference will be held to officially introduce the “Rhode Island Public Financing of Elections Act,” marking the third year the bill has been introduced in the legislature. If passed, this bill would create a voluntary system of publicly funded elections for all statewide and legislative offices in Rhode Island.
We need people to show up tomorrow to show support.
At the press conference, Senator Rhoda Perry and Representative Edith Ajello, the bill’s two legislative sponsors, will introduce the “Rhode Island Public Financing of Elections Act.” Christine Lopes, Executive Director of Common Cause Rhode Island, Kimberly Davis, a former publicly financed Maine Representative, Marilyn Acevedo, Rhode Island Latino community activist, and Annice Correia, a Providence College student will speak on behalf of the legislation.
Why is this important?
This is important not just because publicly-financed elections in Maine and Arizona have been shown to level the playing field for women, minorities, and low-income candidates, but because each state that passes a Clean Elections law is going to bring us one step closer to cutting special interest groups out of politics.
Sounds enticing and fun! When is it? Where?
This will all be happening tomorrow (Tuesday) at the Rhode Island State House at 3pm. Press will be there, as well as - hopefully - enough people so that legislators are forced to recognize that they have to at least vote on the issue.
If you have any questions about the event (I'm helping organize it), just leave it in the comments and I'll get back to you as soon as I can.
Thank you, and hope to see you there!