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Rhode Island group supports casino

PROVIDENCE, Rhode Island – As reported by the Providence Journal: "The Rhode Island Minority-Leadership/Legislative Caucus yesterday publicly endorsed passage of Ballot Question 1 — a referendum on the proposed Narragansett Indian casino in West Warwick — and urged minority communities in the state to do likewise.

"At a State House news conference, Narragansett Chief Sachem Matthew Thomas said he faced 'tough questions' during several meetings before gaining the minority leaders' support. About 30 supporters, including legislators and black and Latino community organizers, flanked Thomas in the Rotunda.

"Though a recent Channel 12 (WPRI) poll shows that 51 percent of voters oppose allowing the tribe and its Las Vegas partner, Harrah's Entertainment, to build a casino in West Warwick, Thomas said he remains 'optimistic' that Question 1 will win on Nov 7.

"Asked if he believed the vote on Ballot Question 1 will come down to racial divisions, Thomas replied, 'I think it's a class division.'

"…Sen. Juan M. Pichardo, D-Providence, co-chairman of the minority caucus, said the casino proposal will 'benefit each and every household in the state with constitutionally guaranteed property tax relief' and allow the Narragansett Tribe 'to finally achieve economic self-sufficiency.'

"…Rep. Joseph S. Almeida, D-Providence, co-chairman of the caucus, said the casino would mean economic growth for Rhode Island and opportunity for all its citizens…"

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