Demystifying Democracy:

Understanding the Rules of the Rhode Island HousE:

Our first Demystifying Democracy event of 2019 will focus on how the Rhode Island House of Representatives really works by looking at the House rules. Every two years, members of the House of Representatives pass a series of rules that govern everything from committee assignments to how many days the budget is publicly available before it is voted on. Recently, Democrats and Republicans alike have called for changes to those rules to empower rank-and-file legislators. This event will explore how the rules work today, and what reform might look like. It will feature a panel of former and current legislators from both major political parties.

About the Demystifying Democracy series:

Common Cause Rhode Island is again hosting our Demystifying Democracy series, which we launched in 2017. Bringing together a diverse group of experts from advocacy, journalism, government, and elsewhere, we focus on empowering citizens to participate in our state and local democracy by providing a behind-the-scenes look at the legislative process.

This year, our three sessions will cover the following topics:

• Understanding the Rules of the Rhode Island House (Wed. January 23, 5:30-7pm)
• How to be a Citizen Watchdog: Learn from the Experts how to use Rhode Island's Public Records and Open Meetings Laws -- A Sunshine Week event co-hosted with ACCESS/RI, RI ACLU, League of Women Voters of RI and the New England First Amendment Coalition (Sat. March 23, 10:30am-noon)
• Who draws the lines? Understanding Redistricting in Rhode Island (Sat. May 18, 10:30am-noon)

Free and open to the public, but registration is required.  Sign up to join us for one, two, or all three.