Holocaust education, anti-BDS legislation among year’s legislative wins

The continuous ringing of bells was heard throughout the Statehouse on Jan. 5 to signal the opening of the Rhode Island General Assembly’s legislative session. Legislators began formulating their agendas, often after listening to their constituents. Advocates and lobbyists also began meeting with legislators to propose bills and resolutions. Soon, hearings were held with testimony from those for and against the proposed laws.

A similar process began at our nation’s capital in January as the 114th Congress began its second session. It would be a busy but not very productive session.

As in previous years, the days flew by. Before we knew it, some bills had died in committee while others were approved or voted down by the House and the Senate. Likewise, resolutions were approved or defeated. And a state and federal budget were passed.

This legislative season, the Community Relations Council of the Jewish Alliance of Greater Rhode Island and its partners were strong advocates on a number of bills and resolutions on state and national issues.

Statewide, the CRC led a coalition to support Holocaust-Genocide education in Rhode Island schools. The CRC were also a partner on Rhode Island Anti-BDS (Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions of Israel) legislation and a number of social-justice issues relating to poverty, domestic violence, education, and gun violence.

Nationally, working with organizations such as the Jewish Federations of North America and the Jewish Council for Public Affairs, the CRC provided advocacy on issues such as sustaining services for our most vulnerable populations, promoting fair and compassionate immigration reform while safeguarding the U.S. refugee program, and protecting the community from terrorism and natural disasters. 

Of special significance was the passage of the Older Americans Act, which includes a section that provides special services for Holocaust survivors.

In addition, the CRC focused on international interests, such as combating the assault on Israel’s legitimacy, supporting a two-state solution (with a Jewish state living in peace alongside a demilitarized Palestinian state), strengthening the U.S.-Israel relationship, and  opposing Iran’s development of nuclear weapons.

The first CRC victory was the passage of the Holocaust-Genocide Education bill. Rhode Island became the first state in New England to pass legislation requiring Holocaust-genocide education in the state’s middle and/or high schools. The CRC’s partners included the Holocaust Education and Resource Center, the Rhode Island State Council of Churches, and members of the Armenian community.  Symbolically, the bill passed the House on Yom ha-Shoah, Holocaust Memorial Day. 

In addition to the Holocaust, Rhode Island students will now study genocides in Armenia, Rwanda, Darfur, Cambodia and other places where atrocities took place. A commission will more than likely be created to develop the curriculum.

Near the very end of the legislative session, a bill passed to prohibit the state from entering into contracts with businesses that actively boycott, divest or levy sanctions on countries such as Israel. The legislation states that an organization doing business with the state of Rhode Island cannot knowingly engage in discriminatory practices with a country in good standing with the World Trade Organization.  While not directly mentioning Israel, the legislation is now in place to support the Jewish state.

The General Assembly also passed two resolutions important to the Jewish community. The first was to honor Yom ha-Shoah and the second to honor and support Israel Independence Day. The Independence Day resolution included a statement that encourages Israel and Rhode Island to grow its economic partnership.

Each year, certain subjects generate vehement debate, with hearings sometimes lasting for hours, at times past midnight. Such was the case with bills relating to guns.

The Rhode Island Coalition Against Domestic Violence saw approval of a couple of its bills.  Among them, according to the coalition, was “Rhode Island’s first dedicated state funding that will support strategies for stopping the cycle of domestic violence before it starts.

“The Prevention Fund was created through an additional $200,000 in the state budget.”

The state’s Earned Income Tax Credit, or EITC, was increased from 12.5 percent to 15 percent of the federal credit for the 2017 tax year. Advocates for an increase, including the CRC, were hoping for 20 percent, which is more in line with other New England states. Still, the increase will improve economic security for the state’s 80,000 lower wage-earners and their families.

Also passed was a bill supported by Common Cause, Rhode Island  for Community & Justice, and a number of other advocacy organizations to improve voter access by establishing a system for online voter registration and permitting the state to join in interstate sharing of data to facilitate voter registration.

A bill to reduce out-of-school suspensions also passed this year. According to the Rhode Island Interfaith Coalition to Reduce Poverty, the legislation requires school districts to annually analyze the discipline data they already collect; identify disparities based on race, ethnicity or special-education status; develop a plan to reduce any disparities; and restrict the use of out-of-school suspensions to situations when a child’s behavior poses a physical risk or serious disruption that cannot be dealt with by other means.

A transportation bill became the subject of heated debate. Advocates, which included the CRC and its partners, did not want fares to be increased for our most vulnerable populations, seniors and the disabled, who often rely on RIPTA services to get them to their destinations. The opposition wanted fares to increase in order to balance RIPTA’s budget. The end result was a compromise: Fares will remain the same until the end of the year. The CRC’s hope is that in the next session, which begins in early January, additional funding will be approved to extend the discounted service.

The “Open Doors R.I.” initiative, the state’s plan to end homelessness, was approved.  The bill  paves the way for a $50-million bond on the November ballot that includes $40 million for affordable housing.

A number of social justice bills did not pass or come to a vote this session. These included raising the minimum wage, driver’s licenses for undocumented immigrants, and payday lending reform. These bills are likely to be resubmitted during the next legislative session.

While our government is in recess, the CRC is not. During the summer and fall, the CRC will continue to advocate on behalf of the community, as well as work with its partners to develop goals, objectives and strategies to move forward with much-needed legislation.

At the same time, much like the candidates running for office, we will be listening to our constituents.

MARTY COOPER is the community relations director for the Jewish Alliance of Greater Rhode Island.