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Rhode Island Lawmakers Vote on Gambling Legislation
15 July 2005

PROVIDENCE, Rhode Island – Reported by Providence Journal: "Lawmakers return to the State House today to vote on legislation that would allow the state to sign contracts leading to major expansions of gambling at Rhode Island's two video-slot emporiums: Lincoln Park and Newport Grand.

"Many questions remain unanswered, including the details of the still unseen contracts. A House spokesman said House Finance Committee members had been shown 'a draft" but he could not locate one yesterday.

"…Cast by the Assembly's Democratic leaders and Republican Governor Carcieri as a major piece of jobs and tax-relief legislation, the bill is unlikely to face serious opposition from any major faction, including many of the legislature's traditional opponents of gambling.

"The bill links the addition of 2,550 more video slots at the Lincoln track and the former Newport jai alai fronton to hundreds of millions of dollars in promised tax relief, including the phasing out of the car tax within five to six years…"