By Randal Edgar
Journal State House Bureau

PROVIDENCE, R.I. -- Four years after it emerged with the goal of providing a conservative voice among a wealth of voices that lean to the left, the nonprofit foundation known as the Ocean State Policy Research Institute is calling it a day.

Michael Stenhouse, the group's executive director, confirmed last week that the organization will "be dissolved next month," but stressed the cause will continue.

Stenhouse said he is founding a new entity called the Rhode Island Center for Freedom and Prosperity, which will promote "free-market and market-based visions as a means to restore prosperity to our state."

"We believe that our state is not embracing a freedom reform agenda, we believe that our state is restricting and choking prosperity for our citizens," the former Boston Red Sox outfielder said. "We want to show actually a better path, a proven path."

Stenhouse, who filed articles of incorporation for the new entity on Thursday with the secretary of state's office, said he has not yet assembled a team but has lined up "some significant" financial support and has asked former state Republican Party Chairman Giovanni Cicione to serve as policy director. Cicione could not be reached for immediate comment.

The Ocean State Policy Research Institute was founded in 2007 by Ashaway resident William Felkner, who had little to add to the story when contacted last week by Political Scene. Felkner said he remained on the board after he left as president and also worked for the organization as an "independent contractor," until two board members fired him last month.

He declined to say more, saying he needed to talk with his lawyer.