Lawmakers to Re-Vote on Casino Referendum Bill

The Rhode Island Senate will reconvene on Monday, June 30, at 4 p.m. to reconsider legislation placing a ballot referendum regarding the addition of table games at Newport Grand on the November ballot. The step is being taken out of an abundance of caution to ensure that there can be no question the legislation was passed by the necessary majority in the Senate.

Article 6 section 11 of the Rhode Island Constitution requires that the appropriation of funds for local or private purposes be approved by two-thirds of the members elected to each legislative chamber, not simply two-thirds of those present and voting. While the Senate’s legal analysis is that the distribution of net terminal income likely does not fall under this provision, reconsideration of the measure in the Senate will remove any question which may exist. 

“We are taking this step out of an abundance of caution because this is such an important decision for the voters of Newport to consider in November,” said President of the Senate M. Teresa Paiva Weed. 

The legislation, 2014-H-8294 Sub. A as amended, was passed by the Senate on June 21 by a vote of 24-2. If the provisions of Article 6 section 11 apply, 26 affirmative votes are required for passage. The legislation passed the House on a vote of 52-4, which meets the two-thirds threshold.

The Senate recessed on June 21, and has not yet transmitted the legislation, 2014-H-8294 Sub. A as amended. The Senate will convene from its recess on Monday for the purpose of reconsideration of this piece of legislation.