Sheehan: Transparency Needed for Quasi-Public Agencies
Sen. James Sheehan is submitting legislation that will require more transparency and oversight of committees.
Release courtesy of the Rhode Island Legislative Press Bureau.
Are Rhode Island’s quasi-public agencies operating effectively and efficiently and in the best interest of the state and its citizens?
Sen. James C. Sheehan (D-Dist. 36, Narragansett, North Kingstown) says the recent turmoil at the RI Economic Development Corporation with the 38 Studios debacle helps answer this question and “underscores the need for a thorough review of and comprehensive reform of the quasi-public corporations in the state.”
Senator Sheehan said he has long had questions and concerns about the efficiency and accountability of the state’s quasi-public agencies, but that those concerns have been greatly heightened by the recent troubles involving EDC and 38 Studios, “which has left the state on the hook for $75 million.”
“While quasi-public corporations operate in an independent manner, they are publicly-owned assets and, as such, are accountable to the people of Rhode Island,” said Senator Sheehan. “Further, these quasi-publics need to operate at the peak of efficiency. Toward this end, there must be more transparency, oversight and improved internal governance.”
Senator Sheehan, who is the acting chairman of the Senate Committee on Government Oversight and the co-chairman of the Joint Committee on Economic Development, said the time has come to reform quasi-public agencies.
Legislation was introduced during the 2012 session to do just that, and though the legislation was heard by the Committee on Government Oversight, it was not taken up by the full Senate or the House of Representatives.
“The legislation did not pass this year, sadly, but it needs to be approved next year,” said Senator Sheehan, who explained that the three bills which made up the reform initiative included requiring quasi-public agencies to abide by the Access to Public Records Act (open meeting law) and the state Purchasing Act. The bills also would have required that quasi-publics be regularly subjected to performance audits, release budgetary and financial reports, and share internal documents with legislative leaders.
Senator Sheehan said that the boards of directors at quasi-public corporations "must be well trained and the agencies must also be guided by a strong internal code of ethics, including the prevention of conflicts of interest."
As acting chair of the Senate Oversight Committee, Senator Sheehan added that "for our part, the legislative oversight committees themselves need to be strengthened in terms of staff and resources in order to fulfill their duties in a post-separation of powers era.”
Senator Sheehan is also the Vice-chairman of the Senate Committee on Health & Human Services.
Ted Geisel
10:33 am on Thursday, August 2, 2012
Mr. Sheehan, Your party has been in control of both houses of the RI Legislature since 1959. The last time a party other than the Democrats held both houses was 1939-1940. How convenient it must be to have a party which is not only the cause of this problem but also it's "solution". Then you can send out pre-election press releases claiming to fix problems your own party caused, right?
If I were the Chairman of the Government Oversight Committee in RI I would be embarressed. If I had to add that I was the co-chair of the joint committee on Economic Development I would probably try to hide somewhere. RI just ranked dead last for a second year in a row for business competitiveness. Well done.
Your solution is to strengthen the committees with more staff and resources??? So you want more of our tax dollars??? Maybe government isn't the solution, maybe it's the problem.
Jason Demers
10:27 pm on Thursday, August 2, 2012
Ted,
You know just enough to be dangerous! Senator Sheehan just recently secured these posts! I for one am glad that there is someone who is helping to improve government!
Ted Geisel
9:24 am on Friday, August 3, 2012
Jason he might have just "secured" the Chairman post for Government Oversight but he has been on the committee for several years now, right? Let's not forget why he had the opportunity to step up into this post. He moved up because fellow party member Ciccone tried to use his power to intimidate the police. That is some committee they've got going there.
What gave you the impression that he is helping to improve government? Here is a good article on Mr. Sheehan. http://www.golocalprov.com/politics/travis-rowley-profiles-in-cowardice-senator-jim-sheehan/
He voted for a 6 percent increase in the state government while we are in this economic mess? Jason do you think that is helping things? Spending more and taxing more is helping?
Jason Demers
7:31 pm on Friday, August 3, 2012
Ted,
As I said, you know just enough to be dangerous, I just read the Travis Rowley article, it is an obvious hit piece! Be a real thinker. Research Senator Sheehan's record. Go to his web page at senatorsheehan.com and then get back to me.
Ted Geisel
8:22 am on Saturday, August 4, 2012
Hi Jason, I did check out his web page. You seem to be quite the Sheehan fanboy. How about just answering a few of my questions. Do you think its a good idea to increase the budget 6 percent in this economy? Do you think expanding the committees budget and staff will help? Has Sheehan actually been on the Government Oversight committee for several years and got his position because his fellow party member was thrown off the committee because of his behavior?
Three questions, that's all I ask.