Rhode Island Legislators speak out against Ballot Question 1

Warning of risks to reproductive and economic rights at State House press conference

From a press release:

Rhode Island Citizens for Responsible Government, a coalition dedicated to preserving Rhode Islanders’ rights, held a press conference Wednesday at the Rhode Island State House to address the serious risks posed by Ballot Question 1, which proposes a Constitutional Convention. Legislative leaders on issues of reproductive and economic justice discussed the dangers this ballot measure presents to civil rights, economic security, and protections for reproductive healthcare.

“A Constitutional Convention poses a direct threat to established civil rights, with the potential to introduce amendments that could undermine protections currently afforded under Rhode Island State law,” stated coalition Chair Vimala Phongsavanh, who is also Senior Director of Planned Parenthood of Southern New England.

You can watch the video here:

One concern highlighted was the role of dark money in a potential constitutional convention. “We have made great strides to make women’s reproductive healthcare more accessible for all Rhode Islanders, regardless of their financial situation, through legislation like the Equality in Abortion Coverage Act. The constitutional convention will not only threaten accessibility in healthcare, but the process itself will be inaccessible for average Rhode Islanders due to dark money interference,” said Representative Katherine Kazarian.

“History tells us that in Rhode Island and across the country, constitutional conventions have been used as an opportunity to rush through unpopular and regressive policies, almost always to the detriment of women, people of color, and other marginalized communities,” said Senator Tiara Mack emphasizing the historical risks of constitutional conventions. “Lawmakers already have the tools to ensure Rhode Island works for Rhode Islanders, and opening our state to an outdated system will only negatively impact Rhode Islanders already struggling with a housing crisis, healthcare crisis, and impacts of inflation on their households.”

“A constitutional convention would be an opening for dark money interests to influence policies that disproportionately impact low-income Rhode Islanders, potentially jeopardizing protections for essential services,” said Representative Jennifer Stewart. “With issues like affordable healthcare, reproductive rights, and workers’ protections on the line, the risks for working Rhode Islanders are far too high.”

Stressing a Constitutional Convention’s potential impact on the Equality in Abortion Coverage Act (EACA), Senator Bridget Valverde stated, “Rhode Islanders have fought hard to secure abortion rights and access to care for all. A constitutional convention puts that all at risk, and we can’t afford to be dragged backward.”

“A constitutional convention could endanger critical reproductive services like IVF, which is already under threat from national agendas like Project 2025,” said Representative Karen Alzate. “The same forces that seek to undermine access to abortion could strip Rhode Islanders of their right to fertility treatments, further limiting healthcare options for families. We cannot allow the progress we’ve made for reproductive healthcare to be undone by politically charged amendments targeting our freedom.”

The coalition underscored the risks of a constitutional convention for ordinary Rhode Islanders, pointing to increased influence from special interests, potential reversals in reproductive rights, and barriers to healthcare equity.