Government watchdog group joins anti-casino campaign
PROVIDENCE, R.I. (AP) -- A nonprofit government watchdog group has joined the anti-casino campaign led by Save Our State.
Common Cause of Rhode Island's vice president, Brian Heller, said the group has never taken a position on gambling, but it opposes a proposed amendment to Rhode Island's constitution that would allow Harrah's Entertainment to build a casino here without bidding against other developers.
Harrah's is spending millions of dollars to persuade Rhode Islanders to approve the constitutional amendment on the November ballot. Harrah's is partnering with the Narragansett Indian Tribe to push for the casino in West Warwick.
"We are outraged that a no-bid Harrah's casino would be planted permanently in the Rhode Island Constitution," Heller said.
He said if voters approve the amendment it would wreak havoc for future generations.
Narragansett leaders have argued the casino would bring property tax relief to Rhode Islanders. Harrah's officials project the proposed casino could provide the state with up to $144 million in gambling taxes by its third year of operation.
Common Cause recently gave low marks for lawmakers who supported the casino amendment in an evaluation that looked at how legislators voted on bills the group considers important to government reforms and public interest.
It faulted the General Assembly for acting contrary to recommendations of a 2003 Special House Commission to Study Gaming. The commission outlined a series of specific steps that it said should precede any public vote on a casino.
"Their own report called for a competitive process and creation of an independent regulatory body before the naming of a casino developer or host community," Heller said. "They produced a solid report and then trashed it." |
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