RI House Minority Leader Statement on Passage of the IGT/Twin River 20-year, No-bid Gaming Contract

5/11/2021

News

State House, Providence, RI - Rhode Island House Minority Leader Blake A. Filippi offers the following statement regarding the passage of the amended legislation authorizing the Governor to negotiate the IGT/Twin River 20-year, no-bid deal:

“Tonight, members of the House Minority Caucus offered numerous, substantive amendments to improve the meager jobs mandate and woeful financial percentages in the gaming contract bill. It has been a two year effort on behalf of Republicans to question, protect and grow the People’s investment in gaming and maximize revenues. Unfortunately, our efforts to stop this insider deal fell on mostly deaf ears, as there were several opportunities to raise state revenues by increasing the state’s share of gambling revenue, but most of our Democrat colleagues left that resource on the table. It is our hope that Governor McKee will see the major flaws we identified in this legislation and negotiate a deal that is in the Rhode Island taxpayer’s best interests. We implore Governor McKee to create a legacy in crafting a fair deal that benefits Rhode Island.”

ADDITIONAL GAMING CONTRACT INFORMATION

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The Rhode Island House of Representatives Minority Office Membership (Republican) is comprised of the following representatives who were elected by constituents who live in districts throughout the Ocean State: Minority Leader, Blake Filippi, District 36 (Charlestown, South Kingstown, Westerly, New Shoreham); Minority Whip, Michael Chippendale, District 40 (Foster, Glocester, Coventry); Deputy Minority Leader George Nardone, District 28 (Coventry); Representative Brian Newberry, District 48 (North Smithfield, Burrillville); Deputy Minority Leader David Place, District 47 (Burrillville, Glocester); Representative Justin Price, District 39 (Exeter, Hopkinton, Richmond); Deputy Minority Whip Robert Quattrocchi, District 41 (Scituate, Cranston); Senior Deputy Leader Sherry Roberts, District 29 (Coventry, West Greenwich). For more information, please visit our website at www.rihousegop.org

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In 1636, Roger Williams, founder of Rhode Island, established the first working model of Democracy after being banished from Massachusetts for his “extreme views” concerning freedom of speech and religion. Thomas Jefferson and John Adams publicly acknowledged Williams as the originator of these concepts, along with the freedom of public assembly, in the First Amendment in the United States Constitution. Today, Rhode Island House Republicans uphold the liberties designed by our Founders and preserved in our Constitution, and are the primary legislative body promoting lean government, fighting for lower taxes, and advocating for initiatives and policies that improve the economy and in turn, the lives of Rhode Islanders. As members of a part-time assembly, we are small business owners, retired educators, community activists, lawyers, farmers, military service veterans, volunteers, former local officials, retired social workers, coaches, musicians, churchgoers and board directors -- bringing these community engagement and professional experiences to our work, on your behalf, at the Rhode Island State House.