Carcieri would not block 2010 casino referendum
11:17 AM Wed, Oct 07, 2009 | Permalink
Email
 |
 |
Projo 7 to 7 News BlogTaking the news pulse of Rhode Island and Southeastern Massachusetts, by Providence Journal and projo.com staff, from 7 to 7, every business day |
|
Get the 7 to 7 on your mobile at www.projo.com. Twitter: projo | RSS | Email alerts
« RI slot parlor in receivership pulls exec. bonuses request |
Main
| RI state revenues down more than $30M in 1st quarter »
PROVIDENCE, R.I. - Once an avowed opponent of casino gambling, Governor Carcieri now says he would not oppose a 2010 ballot question to turn the bankrupt Twin River track and slot parlor into a full-scale casino. Commenting on WPRO radio during one in a series of talk show interviews on Wednesday, Carcieri said the "first thing we've got to do is get the place stabilized...[and] get through this bankruptcy.'' "It will then be in the hands of the banks, and in my judgment, knowing banks, they need to sell it.'' Then, he said, the question, " 'Where does it go, and how do we go forward with it?', I think, is a legitimate one, and I think that...let's see what happens. If we decide we want to do more with it, then that is something the voters can decide on. I would probably allow that to go to the voters.'' "So you don't oppose it going on the ballot?'' talk show host John DePetro asked. Carcieri: "No, if that is the direction we are moving, you know, I would say that the people should decide on this.'' He acknowledged that any such voter decision would also specifically require a vote of support from the host community -- Lincoln. "I am not a big supporter of gambling...in the sense that I just don't think it's a good economic development tool,'' Carcieri said. "On the other hand, we have it. My position has always been what do we have to do to protect it...We've [now] got to get it under new management, new ownership....and then we need to make sure we protect it, because it is a major source of revenue for the state.'' Carcieri's comments come a week after House Speaker William J. Murphy - who championed the last failed proposed for a Harrah's backed Narragansett Indian casino in his own hometown of West Warwick - said he believed the time had come to ask voters again if they would support full-scale casino gambling in Rhode Island, presumably at Twin River. Not all of the likely candidates to replace the term-limited Carcieri have taken a position on Murphy's call for a 2010 casino gambling referendum. But former U.S. Sen. Lincoln Chafee has. According to his campaign coordinator James DeRentis: "Linc's position is that the voters already weighed in on this issue in 2006 and it should not be a ballot item in 2010. While state revenues look bleak, to keep revisiting this issue as a solution is not the answer to the state's economic woes. The voters made their position clear in 2006 and it should be honored.'' Under the terms of a consensual bankruptcy agreement filed in U.S. Bankruptcy Court in late June, the current owners are scheduled to relinquish ownership and control to their lenders on October 23. Harrah's has expressed interest in acquiring or managing the slot parlor, but so far, the principals in Warner Gaming are the only ones who have filed applications for state licensing to take over the management or any other significant role. 
CommentsLeave a commentPlease be civil. Vicious comments, personal attacks and profanity won't be published. Name and email are required; email address will not publish. |
Tags 
New comments
New photos
New posts
Projo blogs
Archives
Why would you let it go on the ballot, Carcieri? You know that they can fix the vote...why supply the rope so the state can hang itself? And you should be against it not only because it is not a good economic engine, but also because it will destroy people's lives and be a haven for even more immorality than we have now (which is hard to believe is even possible.)
You have to stand up for decency, stand up for God! Do you think God will care about what "economic" legacy you leave?
Report Abuse
This is a no brainer...it's all built. Let's throw some tables in there...free drinks, and let's get our piece of the pie.
Report Abuse
Do not forget in order for this to take place and be in effect the Electors in Lincoln need to support this without the Support of the electors in Lincoln the issue is DEAD!
Report Abuse
I think he wants to go on a date with Jan Jones from Harrahs. He is looking for them to legitimize the disaster in Lincoln. Look out Newport, your Fronton is about to get slam dunked!
Report Abuse
Way to go Gov!! Your a failed leader, a failed business man, and now your have joined the lazy unions and mobsters out of limited imagination and backbone!!
I hope the door does it you on the way out!!
Report Abuse
He's only doing this because he will be out of office and it would no longer be his issue. He was the worst thing to ever happen to the state of RI. Oh an wait, when did things really start to get bad, oh thats right, right after he took office (there was a reason he never was elected office in PA)
Report Abuse
Only for Twin Rivers? What about Newport Grand?
Why did they wait so long to consider this option? Oh, I know, they were busy trying to push that crooked Harrah's deal down our throats.....
Report Abuse
Flip Flop, Flip Flop, Flip Flop
Report Abuse
I don't care what happens. Let's sucker in all the drunk gambling addicts and steal their money for the good of the state. Traffic, crime, etc.? Not my problem as I live so far away it won't affect me. Just keep the Indians out of it. They don't deserve a share.
Report Abuse
Politicians have us now depending on gambling to support the state, but more gambling is not an answer, it certainly has not worked for CT or NJ.
Twin River will get competition from Massachusetts shortly so Twin River is likely to generate decreased revenues in the best of cases. (which is why the current knowledgeable group running it are walking away).
That said,the taxpayers will most likely approve adding card games, because it is that or nothing. It will not work. But I don't see or hear anything that is going to replace that revenue stream, third highest sources of taxes. Too bad our politicians spend it all (over $250 million per year extra income) plus much more on things we can no longer afford. Result we are already have a large deficit in spite of all that money.
We were warned we would get addicted to gambling revenue and most understand gambling takes more out of the ecomony than it provides.
Happened anyway, another job well done by our "leaders".
It really is time for a "change" forget
Washington, we need it here at home.
Report Abuse
OK LETS DO IT ALL PUT THIS GAY MARRIAGE ISSUE,
E-VERIFY ISSUE AND THE PEOPLE WILL CHOOSE"AGAIN"
IT WILL BE WHAT IT WILL BE AND ANY ONE WHO DOES NOT LIKE THE RESULTS "SCR*W!!! AND THEN LETS MOVE
ON AND QUITE WASTING MONEY ON THESE I AM WILLING TO BET DEAD ISSUES AND REALLY FIX RI.!!!
Report Abuse
It's already proven that we cannot balance a budget depending on 30% revenues from gambling. Now, we want to increase that dependance?? It's not going to solve our problem.
Report Abuse