Oversight Over Gubernatorial Executive Orders Needed, Says RI Democratic State Rep
Wednesday, November 11, 2020
Rhode Island State Representative William O’Brien (D-Dist. 54, North Providence) is calling on the House Oversight Committee to hold hearings regarding the executive orders issued by the governor during the COVID-19 pandemic.
O’Brien’s call comes after the House Republican Caucus recently announced they were introducing legislation to "ensure proper checks and balances on the Governor’s powers during a declared State of Emergency."
One of the GOP bills would bill would establish in law a new bi-partisan Permanent Joint Disaster Oversight Committee, comprised of members from both the House and the Senate. This committee would be required to regularly meet during a declared state of emergency to review the policies and actions of the Governor. The Committee would have the power to subpoena witnesses and documents.
GET THE LATEST BREAKING NEWS HERE -- SIGN UP FOR GOLOCAL FREE DAILY EBLASTOn November 9, Rhode Island Governor Gina Raimondo issued her 91st supplemental emergency declaration.
READ ALL EXECUTIVE ORDERS HERE
O’Brien served as Democratic Majority Leader under defeated Speaker of the House Nicholas Mattiello. At the recent Democratic caucus following the election, House Democrats backed Majority Leader Joe Shekarchi to be the body’s next Speaker — and Rep. Chris Blazejewski as the new Majority Leader.
O’Brien’s Call for Oversight
“As we enter another month of this public health crisis, it is important that the House Oversight Committee upholds its constitutional duty to provide oversight of the governor’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic,” said O’Brien.
“While I do think the governor is doing a good job, the legislature also must have the ability to ask questions, obtain data, and oversee and analyze the governor’s executive orders so that Rhode Islanders are best protected and that their needs are being served during this unprecedented time,” he added.
“As a member of the House Finance Committee, we have been meeting diligently to assess what is being done to help struggling Rhode Island residents. I know our small businesses are truly in a precarious place and the processes and operations to secure them help, through grants or other means, appears to be lacking and the House Oversight Committee is the proper venue for these business owners, residents, and legislators to receive the answers that we all rightfully deserve," said O'Brien.
When reached for comment on Wednesday, House Oversight Chair Pat Serpa said she was unaware of O'Brien's request.
Related Articles
- Watch LIVE: RI at Highest Coronavirus Warning Level - Raimondo LIVE at 1
- Barletta Attended Raimondo & Mattiello Hosted Fundraiser - MA Co. Has Won $349M in RIDOT Contracts
- 5 Major Coronavirus Developments - Raimondo Is Focused on the Wrong Numbers
- Raimondo Administration Announces $3.1M in Additional “Take It Outside” Grants
- RI’s “Real” Infection Rate Is Approximately 6%, Raimondo’s Testing Strategy Comes Under Criticism
- Raimondo Must Draw a Line in the Contaminated Soil - Guest MINDSETTER™ Maxwell
- Baker, Raimondo and Other New England Govs Call for Modernization of Regional Electricity System
- Raimondo Administration Expands Restore RI Grant Program; Businesses Now Eligible for Up to $30,000
- Numbers Going Up: Raimondo Says Cancel Halloween Parties Now, Mandatory Testing to be Implemented
- Raimondo Announces “Mandatory” Testing for RIers, But No One Know What It Means, Including Governor
- Raimondo Announces New Restrictions, and Changes to Halloween
- Time is Running Out, Raimondo Is Failing Us — Nick Landekic
- Raimondo Nominates Furcolo as Lottery Director, Thorsen as New Revenue Director
- Raimondo Administration Changes RI Coronavirus Quarantine Policy From 14 to 24 Days
- Raimondo’s Lack of Action Was Deeply Disappointing But Not Surprising - MINDSETTTER™ Landekic
- Record Number of New Coronavirus Cases in RI — Watch Raimondo at 1 PM
- Raimondo Issues 7 New Coronavirus Restrictions
- Enough Is Enough, Raimondo Needs to Lead on Coronavirus - Nick Landekic
- Despite Record Cases, Raimondo Offers Few New Restrictions or Enforcement
- An Open Letter to Governor Raimondo - Angelica Penta of Gels Kitchen
- VIDEO: Raimondo, Officials to Address Rising Coronavirus Numbers in RI Wednesday at 1 PM
- VIDEO: “We are in a Bad Place,” Says Raimondo as Infection Spirals in RI
- Biden Picking Raimondo for Treasury Would Be Like Naming Dracula To Guard Blood Bank: Siedle
- WATCH LIVE: Raimondo to Announce New Restrictions As Cases Continue to Spiral in RI
- Investigation: Raimondo Administration Overestimated Cost of Coronavirus Testing by $150M