Woonsocket Radio News Room

 

Rep. Costantino announces financial initiatives to aid Lincoln are included in proposed state budget

 

STATE HOUSE — Rep. Gregory J. Costantino (D-Dist. 44, Lincoln, Smithfield, Johnston) has announced that initiatives that will aid the town of Lincoln have been included in the state budget that the House Finance committee approved Thursday night.

The first is an item to increase the fee that Lincoln and Tiverton receive as compensation for serving as the host communities for sports wagering. That flat fee was doubled from $100,000 to $200,000 per community.

Initially introduced as a bill (2021-H 6371) by Representative Costantino and cosponsored by Rep. Mary Ann Shallcross Smith (D-Dist. 46, Lincoln, Pawtucket) and Deputy Majority Whip Mia Ackerman (D-Dist. 45, Cumberland, Lincoln), the language of that legislation was included in the proposed budget. Sen. Thomas J. Paolino (R-Dist. 17, Lincoln, North Providence, North Smithfield) introduced similar legislation (2021-S 0966) in the Senate.

“The host communities incur a lot of expense from these casinos,” said Representative Costantino. “It’s only fair that Lincoln and Tiverton be fairly compensated to offset those expenses. I’m gratified to see that this budget provides that compensation to Lincoln.”

The budget also includes language that will guarantee that the towns of Lincoln Tiverton receive at least $3 million annually for hosting the Twin River casinos, regardless of whether the gaming facility is operational for all or part of any fiscal year. The budget further specifies that in the future that, if there are any closures, the minimum stipend would be prorated per day of such closure for that state fiscal year.

The budget as approved by the House Finance Committee is expected to be considered by the House of Representatives next week.

 

 

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For an electronic version of this and all press releases published by the Legislative Press and Public Information Bureau, please visit our Web site at www.rilegislature.gov/pressrelease.

 

 

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