Speaker says lawmakers can stay on Lottery board

Friday, Dec. 17, 2004 | 9:16 a.m.

PROVIDENCE, R.I. -- House Speaker William Murphy said he believes lawmakers can remain on the state Lottery Commission, despite voters' recent approval a constitutional change removing legislators from a host of boards and commissions.

"The Lottery Commission in our view is provided for in the constitution, that it's purely under the control of the General Assembly," the speaker said.

Murphy, D-West Warwick, also said he believes the constitution may also allow lawmakers to remain on boards such as the Coastal Resources Management Council "because it has to do with the environment," and the constitution gives the Assembly powers to provide for and protect natural resources.

The Separation of Powers amendment, approved overwhelmingly by voters last month, was aimed at curbing the legislature's broad reach by, in part, removing lawmakers and their designees from boards and commissions with executive powers, such as the ability to hire and fire staff or approve lucrative state contracts.

Murphy's comments drew a rebuke from Separation of Powers advocate Philip West, who is executive director of Common Cause of Rhode Island.

"We are convinced his view is wrong, and the majority of people of the state will not tolerate that kind of reading and did not intend that when they voted" to approve Separation of Powers, West told The Providence Journal.