The year: 1992.
The credit-union crisis had consumed the state. Corruption made regular headlines. Thousands had descended on the State House to demand reforms.
From The Providence Journal s archives: On January 5, 5,000 people gathered at their churches and proceeded to the State House to express support for a package of legislation . to bring ethics back to Rhode Island government. On April 27, over 650 people . convened at McVinney Auditorium in Providence to reiterate the call for ethical reform in Rhode Island state government. A poll . conducted by Alpha Research Associates . [found that] 66 percent oppose the appointment of General Assembly members to judgeships while in office or shortly after leaving office.