Allegations Against Rhode Island Senate President Regarding Teachers Union Influence
Rhode Island State Senate President Valarie Lawson is facing accusations of using her position to promote the political goals of the teachers union. It appears that Lawson, who is also the president of the Rhode Island Education Association, may have intertwined her roles to push NEARI’s legislative priorities.
An ethics complaint was filed on Monday, highlighting these concerns. It seems that both NEARI and Lawson’s offices have not provided comments in response to inquiries.
On June 4, Lawson supported a Senate bill, S2787A, which aims to freeze charter school growth and limit their numbers in the state. Additionally, on May 28, she voted on another bill, S2924, related to employer neutrality in the public sector. NEARI has included both bills in its legislative agenda.
Nikki Neilly, president of Defending Education, voiced concerns, stating that elected officials should prioritize the interests of their constituents instead of personal affiliations. She suggests Lawson’s actions may betray public trust, pointing out that her votes seem to benefit the unions she is associated with, contradicting the views of the state Ethics Commission.
The Director of Government Relations at NEARI mentioned that Lawson’s support for S2924 during a committee meeting raises ethical questions, especially as she apparently received guidance indicating she should refrain from voting on matters that could directly affect the interests of “business persons” in the Legislature.
In a previous instance in 2019, Lawson found herself in a legal situation over her vote favoring collective bargaining for public teachers despite holding multiple positions. An ethics committee had determined that the bill in question would not significantly financially impact NEARI.
Neilly emphasized the importance of the committee’s discussions on these issues, advocating for a legislature that represents all Rhode Islanders, not just a select few. The complaint also suggests that, unlike prior votes, S2787A benefits NEARI economically.
Lawson’s reported total compensation as NEARI chair stands at $167,742, raising further questions about potential conflicts of interest.
