Rhode Island Assembly Wants More from Harrah's

PROVIDENCE, Rhode Island – As reported by the Providence Journal: "Harrah's President and CEO Gary Loveman met behind closed doors with Rhode Island legislative leaders yesterday over his company's bid for a statewide referendum, this November, for a proposed West Warwick casino.

"Details were sketchy of the State House meetings that House Speaker William J. Murphy, Senate President Joseph A. Montalbano, and the chairmen of the legislature's two finance committees had with Loveman and two other high-ranking Harrah's executives.

"'Did I ask for more? Yes,' said [House Finance Chairman Steven M.] Costantino. But, 'they didn't say 'here's a number.' They listened to our concerns.'

"For his part, Murphy, D-West Warwick, said: 'We are attempting to get the best deal possible for the people of Rhode Island and that's what our meeting was about today.'

"…Costantino said that during the meeting he attended with Harrah's executives, the lawmakers identified 'the tax rate,' 'the up-front payment' and the proposed 10-year term of the up-front payments as points of concern…"