As Controversies Mount, Mattiello Reverses Course on Legislative Control Over Marijuana and Hemp
Tuesday, October 22, 2019
After a GoLocal expose unveiled that Speaker Nick Mattiello’s Deputy Chief of Staff Grant Pilkington is business partners in hemp with two top-tier State House lobbyists, the relationship came under fire.
The spotlight focused on a last-minute legislative move by Mattiello that controversially gave the legislature oversight over the Department Business Regulation and their responsibility to regulate marijuana and hemp.
“Pilkington's ownership stake in American Standard Hemp raises numerous red flags. In June, the House of Representatives passed significant changes to the Hemp Growth Act as part of the state budget,” John Marion, Executive Director of Common Cause told GoLocal last week.
GET THE LATEST BREAKING NEWS HERE -- SIGN UP FOR GOLOCAL FREE DAILY EBLASTPilkington - 90% Raise in Two Years
Pilkington has had a meteoric rise in Mattiello’s staff.
In two years, his salary has jumped from $46,000 to $88,000 — a 90% salary increase.
“Grant was hired on January 15, 2017 as a clerk for the House Oversight Committee at a salary of $46,805, and he still remains the clerk of that committee as well as his other responsibilities. On Feb. 4, 2018, he was promoted to the title of legislative manager/House clerk at a salary of $61,095,” said Larry Berman, spokesperson to Mattiello, in an email to GoLocal.
“Grant was promoted to deputy chief of staff on March 17, 2019. His current salary is $88,348. In his role, Grant addresses staffing needs and the daily administration of the operations of the House of Representatives, as well as assisting the House chief of staff,” wrote Berman.
“Speaker Mattiello was not aware that he invested in this company.,” Berman added.
Reverse Course
First, the Speaker’s office defended legislative oversight over hemp -- and marijuana through the compassion centers.
“Regarding your question on how the General Assembly would handle the approval, there are a number of different options to satisfy the requirements in the budget article. I will get back to you when I have more information,” said Berman on Thursday.
But by Friday, Mattiello had reversed course -- just hours after Rhode Island Attorney General announced the indictment of Mattiello's political consultant Jeff Britt. The indictment was tied to a mailer in Mattiello's 2016 reelection campaign.
"The intent of the General Assembly was to provide greater oversight, but it left the promulgation and enforcement of the regulations with the Governor and her Administration. The General Assembly wanted to ensure that the regulatory process would be fair, open and transparent to everyone and deemed that additional oversight would accomplish this,” said Berman.
“However, the Governor has strongly objected. As a result, our House legal counsel has already communicated with the Governor's legal counsel the intent to pass legislation in January to reverse that provision in the law. The House intends to have discussions in the near future with the Senate. The House continues to believe this is an issue that needs significantly enhanced oversight and will fulfill this function through our Oversight Committee,” added Berman.
Criticism of the effort by the legislature to oversee executive branch regulatory authority is not new. The issue has been raised repeatedly and many argue that it is a clear violation of separation of powers.
“If Mr. Pilkington was involved in any way with that legislation it could very well represent a conflict of interest given his ownership stake. It raises greater suspicions because the House inserted language in this year's budget that allows the General Assembly to veto any regulations issued by the Department of Business Regulations with regard to the Hemp Growth Act,” said Marion.
The law now reads, “The department [DBR] may adopt rules and regulations based on federal law provided those rules and regulations are designed to comply with federal guidance and mitigate federal enforcement against the licenses issued under this chapter. All new and revised rules and regulations promulgated by the department of business regulation and/or the department of health pursuant to this chapter shall be subject to approval by the general assembly prior to enactment.”
The requirement of final approval of the department’s regulation is precedent-setting in Rhode Island.
“We believe this is an unconstitutional power-grab on the part of the House of Representatives. GoLocal's reporting raises important questions about the motives behind that legislation,” added Marion.
Related Articles
- Common Cause Raises Concerns Over Influence of Top Mattiello Staffer Over Hemp Legislation
- Lobbyists and Speaker’s Top Staffer Share Ownership in RI Regulated Hemp Company UPDATED
- As Controversies Mount, Mattiello Reverses Course on Legislative Control Over Marijuana and Hemp
