Rep. Edwards' Pot Bill Gets a Hearing; Campaign Bill Aims at TCC

Rep. John Edwards’ was heard late Wednesday afternoon by the House Judiciary Committee. Also, Edwards commented on two pieces of legislation he introduced last week that apply specifically to his hometown district of Tiverton.

Edwards’ marijuana legislation would call for civil fines of $150 per occurrence for those who possess small amounts of marijuana. Currently, possession of any amount of marijuana carries a criminal penalty of up to one year in jail and a $500 maximum fine.

The bill now has 40 co-sponsors, Edwards said on Wednesday night.

“It’s been received very well and should receive a good hearing,” he said. “There’s a couple of things I want to add, on parolee or probation, if you get picked up on simple possession while on probation.”

During testimonials Wednesday in Providence, Edwards said there were about 10 to 12 people who spoke in favor of his bill and about three to four people who spoke against it.

“I want to take away the criminal stigma,” Edwards said. “I’m not hanging my hat on this bill for cost-savings.”

Now that the public hearing is closed on the bill, Edwards said the committee will review it and present it in the near future.

Closing Loophole in Campaign Finance Law

Edwards submitted another bill to change campaign finance laws to require political parties, political action committees and others to report expenses and contributions that were used, and acquired to influence, votes at a Financial Town Meeting.

“There is a loophole in that law that some groups have been employing to avoid reporting campaign activities around a Financial Town Meeting,” he said. “This legislation will close that loophole.”

Edwards said Tiverton Citizens for Change spent campaign funds on “robocalls” and sent cards in the mail to residents, campaigning for particular positions at the Financial Town Meeting.

“Then, when we went to check their campaign finance report, they did not file it,” Edwards said. “They did not file the work they did at the FTM. The campaign finance laws are pretty clear, and I was surprised a PAC was able to float the law.”

Edwards said he spoke with Robert Kando, executive director of campaign finance for the Board of Elections, as well as the head canvasser of the state, about the situation. Due to a loophole in campaign finance language, Tiverton Citizens for Change did not have to file that report.

“This particular group preaches transparency,” he said. “I say, if you’re going to preach it, you better do it. This bill would change the law [so] that all groups campaigning for particular positions at the FTM have to report it, so we see who’s spending what and where they are getting the money from.”

This bill is before the House Judiciary Committee.

Bill To Increase School Housing Aid

Edwards introduced a bill to the House Finance Committee last week that would increase the percentage of school housing aid that Tiverton receives from the state as reimbursement for bond costs to the three elementary schools.

“Right now Tiverton is receiving the minimum 30 percent,” he said.

His bill proposes to repay Tiverton 40 percent, as part of the new school funding formula, for all schools completed after June 30, 2010. Construction of Tiverton’s newest elementary schools were completed in 2008.

“I want to have it going forward, not retroactive,” he added.