by Tessa Roy, WPRO News
Pawtucket Mayor Don Grebien said Tuesday he wants a “Plan B” to be considered if the legislature doesn’t act on the Pawsox stadium deal that’s already on the table. Under this plan, Pawtucket would fund the deal itself.
Grebien joined Dan Yorke Tuesday afternoon after the Mayor’s press conference at Pawtucket City Hall. Listen to the conversation BELOW:
“Give Pawtucket the income tax, the sales tax, and other state revenues generated from the ballpark district development area and the city will take the state’s share on of this proposal and fully finance the public share of this partnership,” Grebien explained.
Grebien said the threat of losing the Pawsox to Worcester is real as their proposed deal is rumored to be cheaper for the team.
“What we nearly have reached is doomsday when the team will be pushed out to another state, costing our residents one of the last few affordable, friendly entertainment options they have and costing our state millions in revenue while leaving Pawtucket without our defining public asset and continue as a distressed community,” he said.
Grebien said he has not yet discussed the plan with House Speaker Nicholas Mattiello or Senate President Dominick Ruggerio. However, some of his comments echo those made by Governor Raimondo on Monday, who said she was unaware the team had a recent meeting in Worcester.
“We have a good deal on the table. [Legislators] just need to take action. I understand it’s difficult politics, I do,” Raimondo said. “But you have to put the interest of the people ahead of your own politics and do the right thing. If we let them go, ten years from now we’ll regret it.”
“I have a great deal of respect for Mayor Grebien and his desire to get a deal done to keep the PawSox in his city,” said Speaker Mattiello in a statement Tuesday afternoon. “He has not provided me with an alternative proposal that he discussed today, but the House Finance Committee will certainly be willing to assess it.”
The Speaker continued: “Should the Senate approve stadium legislation in the upcoming session, the House Finance Committee will hold a public hearing and give it a transparent and thorough review. The strong opinion I have heard from my constituents, and from what the vast majority of House colleagues are telling me they are hearing in their districts, is that the public does not want state taxpayer money spent on this private venture. I suggest the parties that put this deal together renegotiate it in order to make it more acceptable to the citizens of the state.”
