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Rhode Island Casino Hearing Planned

PROVIDENCE, Rhode Island – As reported by the Kent County Daily: "If Rhode Island voters want a West Warwick casino, they may have to amend the state constitution to get it.

"Hoping to short-circuit Gov. Donald L. Carcieri's veto and constitutional challenge to the casino bill passed last month, the Senate has posted a joint resolution to amend the constitution that is scheduled for a hearing before the Committee on Constitutional and Gaming issues at 2:30 p.m. on Friday.

"…The resolution posted by the Senate proposes a constitutional amendment to go on the November ballot that would authorize a casino 'to be owned and operated in the town of West Warwick by an entity consisting of the Narragansett Indian Tribe and any other parties licensed as authorized by statute.'

"There is some question, however, whether the Narragansetts would be owners of the casino, or would just be in line for a share of the revenue. In testimony before legislative committees, representatives of Harrah's Entertainment Inc. said Harrah's, not the tribe would be owners of the casino.

"…Senate President Joseph Montalbano said the idea is to 'thwart the governor's attempt to take this vote away from the people.'

"…Like the casino ballot question, the constitutional amendment would have to be approved both statewide and in the town of West Warwick…"

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