WPRO News and the Associated Press
The Newport City Council has rejected an agreement with developers of a proposed casino at Newport Grand that would have provided a $1 million payment that a critic called a bribe.
The Newport Daily News reports that officials voted 4-3 Wednesday night to turn down the Municipal Community Agreement.
A Newport concerned citizens group applauded the decision saying the city is putting too much trust in a failing business model.Liz Taber of the Citizens Concerned about Casino Gambling said the residents of Newport having been saying no to casinos for 40 years.
“Newport is really focused on trying to build a year long economy that really is sustainable in the long term to make this a more thriving community; gambling is a really short term solution that generally leads to a lot of bailouts,” said Taber.
State legislation putting the casino question on the Nov. 4 ballot would allow Newport’s share of slot machine revenue to rise from 1.01 percent to 1.45 percent, if the table games resolution is approved.
The agreement would have given preference to Newport residents for hiring and to Newport vendors for purchases of goods and services. Council Vice Chairwoman Naomi Neville called the proposed $1 million payment a bribe.
She said the agreement should not be a factor in the Nov. 4 vote.
