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Why it’s time for Rhode Island to have a constitutional convention | Opinion

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Why it’s time for Rhode Island to have a constitutional convention | Opinion


Stephen P. Erickson has served as House minority whip, District Court judge, vice chair of the Board of Elections, adviser to two governors, and chair of the State Housing Appeals Board, serving in all three branches of state government. He currently teaches law and psychiatry in a joint program sponsored by the Warren Alpert Medical School at Brown University and Roger Williams Law School.

It’s not a bad idea to revisit our Rhode Island Constitution every couple of decades. Times change; we need to be able to adapt. Constitutional conventions can weed out outmoded rules, allowing us to govern ourselves as we, the current citizens of the state, wish.

We all have our pet projects. As an advocate for better treatment of people with mental illness, I think it is well past time to eliminate the requirement that anyone ever adjudicated non compos mentis is disqualified from voting. That’s what our constitution says. The voting rights of people with disabilities should be better protected and not curtailed by false claims of election irregularities. We should recognize the more mobile nature of society by allowing same-day voter registration.

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Do we want more competitive races? Start by eliminating the absurd limit on declarations of candidacy to three days and the limit to collect signature during a 10-day period with a holiday. Both rules subvert democracy, protect incumbents and discourage entry into the political system. Let filing start Jan. 1, and start the signature gathering immediately.  

With the collapse of the two-party system in Rhode Island (ask me about it, I used to recruit candidates), we need to move to ranked-choice voting, both in primaries and general elections. We do not have that flexibility. I prefer ranked-choice over jungle primaries, which are likely to result in ideological twins competing in the general election.

There is more to do. The shoreline-access language needs to be cleaned up to ensure the recent protections enacted by the General Assembly are upheld. We need to consider what rights we as citizens should have – including a right to a quality public education, a right to health care, and a right to treatment. For too long we have made excuses rather than changes when it comes to the health of the mentally ill, the disabled, the elderly and the terminally ill. Medical decisions must be constitutionally protected.

We need to revisit separation of powers, given the successful efforts to undermine judicial selection by the proliferation of magistrates. No one should have a case decided without their consent except by a judge appointed through the judicial selection process. And only lawyers should be prosecutors.

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We need an independent redistricting commission with no members of the General Assembly. It should no longer be possible for incumbents to pick their district lines. I have seen it happen.

Common Cause supported my effort to enact initiative laws in the 1980s, although they do not today because of concerns after the Supreme Court’s Citizens United decision. I think it is still a useful tool, as abortion ballot initiatives in other states have shown.  It is a risk, but a risk worth taking since the demise of the two-party system here.

I am certain no one agrees with me on all of these, but I am certain almost everyone would agree with at least one of these proposals. Let’s rewrite Rhode Island’s Constitution to ensure it is a living document that represents our needs, not those of our ancestors.



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Rhode Island

Providence man arrested in connection to narcotics and firearms investigation | ABC6

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Providence man arrested in connection to narcotics and firearms investigation | ABC6


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PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WLNE) — Rhode Island State Police said a Providence man was arrested after police allegedly discovered multiple narcotics and a gun inside two residences on Sept. 23.

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47-year-old Joel Garcia was charged with possession with the intent to deliver over 1 kilogram of fentanyl, possession with the intent to deliver over 1 kilogram of cocaine, possession with the intent to deliver one ounce to one kilogram of methamphetamine, possession with the intent to deliver fentanyl, possession with the intent to deliver cocaine, possession with the intent to deliver methamphetamine, possession of a firearm while committing a controlled substance violation, unlawful possession of a firearm by a prohibited person, and distribution of a controlled substance in a school zone.

According to RISP, police received court-authorized search warrants for two residences in Providence in connection to a narcotics and firearms investigation.

Inside an apartment on Dresser Street, police allegedly seized 1.7 kilograms of fentanyl, 2.3 kilograms of cocaine, and 147 grams of methamphetamine.

Police also searched Garcia’s residence on Portland Street and allegedly seized one fully loaded pistol.

According to police, Garcia had allegedly used the apartment on Dresser Street to “store, package, and distribute large amounts of fentanyl, cocaine and methamphetamine.”

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Garcia was arrested and charged.

RISP, Providence police, Cranston police, North Providence police, Johnston police, the Drug Enforcement Administration, and the Rhode Island National Guard Counterdrug Program assisted in the investigation.





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The Ocean State’s Bond With Robert Redford

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The Ocean State’s Bond With Robert Redford


Millions have been mourning the death of a cinematic icon over the last week with the passing of Robert Redford at age 89.

The award-winning actor is arguably one of the most famous of all time. With over 70 films to his credit on screen and nine he directed throughout his career, Redford’s work in cinema stands out as some of the greatest.

Though only two of Redford’s movies were ever filmed in Rhode Island, the Oscar-winning actor has a deep connection with the Ocean State.

Redford’s Family Roots Near Rhode Island

Though no Redfords actually lived in Rhode Island, Robert’s family was longtime residents of Stonington, CT and several members were born in nearby Westerly, RI.

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READ MORE: ‘Sopranos’ Star Officially Becomes a Rhode Island Resident

Throughout Robert Redford’s childhood there were visits to his grandparents in Stonington, where his grandfather worked as a milkman.

Presumably this time in Stonington meant crossing the state line into Westerly on more than one occasion in his youth and perhaps led to his love of the Rhode Island seaside in later years.

Filming The Great Gatsby in Newport

During his career, Redford came to Newport in the 1970s to film The Great Gatsby at the historic Rosecliff Mansion. Decades later he returned to Rhode Island with the science fiction film The Discovery and even wrote a thank you letter to Newport,  praising their preservation efforts in the city.

READ MORE: HGTV Says You Need to Drive This Road in Newport

Though when he did ultimately settle in New England, Redford chose Weston, CT as his home for almost two decades. He purchased a home not too far from his close friend and fellow actor, Paul Newman.

Evan Agostini/Getty Images

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Rhode Island Honors Robert Redford

Rhode Island never forgot its ties to the beloved actor however. In 2002 Redford was asked to be the commencement speaker at Brown University and that same year Trinity Repertory Company awarded him a Pell Award for Lifetime Achievement in the Arts.

Just one of the many lifetime achievement awards Robert Redford would go on to accumulate during his illustrious career.

20 Stars Who Hail From Rhode Island

Rhode Island may be the smallest state in the nation, but it has been home to many celebrities. Though some have moved here, filmed here or attended school here, only a handful were actually born here. These are those celebrities.

Gallery Credit: Nancy Hall

Academy Award and Golden Globe Winners from Massachusetts

These Massachusetts natives have taken home some of Hollywood’s top honors.

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Gallery Credit: Michaela Johnson

30 Things To Do in Newport Any Time of Year

Newport has always been seen as a summer destination. Wealthy New Yorkers used to escape the city in the hotter months for this picturesque seaside spot and the label as a summer vacation destination began.

There are, however, plenty of things to do in this historic town in any season and we’ve found a few that you may want to try the next time you head to Newport.

Gallery Credit: Nancy Hall





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GoLocalProv | Sports | VIDEO: Providence’s Lassiter Scores 44-Yard TD in Vanderbilt’s Upset Over #11 South Carolina

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GoLocalProv | Sports | VIDEO: Providence’s Lassiter Scores 44-Yard TD in Vanderbilt’s Upset Over #11 South Carolina


Sunday, September 14, 2025

 

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Zell Lassiter
PHOTO: Via Vanderbilt

Providence’s Jamezell Lassiter had a big play on a huge stage on Saturday when Vanderbilt football upset #11 South Carolina. SEE 7:25 MARK.

Lassiter, who played for the Edgewood Eagles and the Mount Hope Cowboys and attended the San Miguel School in Providence, smoked the Gamecocks on a 44-yard touchdown score.

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Vanderbilt won 31-7 over No. 11 South Carolina, snapping a 16-game losing streak between the two programs. 

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Zell Lassiter PHOTO: Vanderbilt Athletics

In 2024, GoLocal sports columnist Robert McMahon wrote about Lassiter’s journey to the top Division I program:

His athletic skills impressed his San Miguel classmates. Flag football, soccer, basketball—Jamezell could do it all. He was a natural athlete.

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But the transformation of Zell, as he likes to be called, happened in the San Miguel classroom. 

READ MORE HERE

 

 

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