Rhode Island House OKs West Warwick Casino Bill

PROVIDENCE -- As reported by the Newport Daily News: "After more than four hours of debate, the House of Representatives on Thursday approved legislation that asks voters if they want to change the constitution to allow a Narragansett Indian casino in West Warwick.

"The 44-28 vote came after legislators rejected eight attempts to amend the legislation …

"… The legislation now goes to the Senate, where leaders have said they favor placing the casino issue before voters. Since the legislation is a proposal to place a constitutional question on the ballot, it does not need the approval of Gov. Donald L. Carcieri.

"Tribe Chief Sachem Matthew Thomas said he was 'delighted' with the vote, saying a casino would 'put a lot of people to work.'

"… Carcieri issued a statement after the vote, saying it made 'a mockery of the legislative process.'

"… The question would ask voters if they wanted to amend the constitution to allow a West Warwick casino privately owned and operated 'by the Narragansett Indian tribe and its chosen partner' with all tax proceeds from the casino 'dedicated to property tax relief.'

"The convoluted question is an attempt to get around two Supreme Court opinions that said the constitution requires that all lotteries, which it said included casinos, must be operated by the state. The tribe, with three different business partners, has been trying to build a casino in West Warwick for the past eight years.

"… Proponents of the legislation - even those who said they opposed a casino - said they believe voters should get a chance to weigh in on the question.

"… In the end, the 41/2 hours of debate amounted to not much more than campaign fodder. The votes on all eight amendments and the final vote were nearly identical. …