State Ballot Q's Ask RI Voters to Decide on Casino Gaming, Con-Con, Arts, Mass Transit, URI Engineering Expansion

When they head to the polls on Tuesday, Rhode Island voters will be asked to approve table gaming at Newport Grand, start the process for a constitutional convention and authorize the borrowing of millions through several bonds in seven statewide ballot questions. Here’s a breakdown of what each question entails.

Questions 1 and 2 - relate to the expansion of casino gaming at Newport Grand and the necessary changes in the state Constitution.

Question 1 asks “Shall an act be approved which would authorize the facility known as ‘Newport Grand’ in the city of Newport to add state-operated casino gaming, such as table games, to the types of gambling it offers only and exclusively at the facility located at 150 Admiral Kalbfus Road, Newport?”

If approved, Newport Grand could offer blackjack, poker and other table games in addition to slots. It also paves the way for the slot parlor to be sold to a team of investors including former Providence Mayor Joseph Paolino Jr., who wish to convert the facility into a high-end casino and entertainment center they’re calling the Newport Entertainment Center.

The casino issue has been hotly contested in Newport, whose residents have final say in whether casino gaming is allowed. Though a lawsuit was filed over state lawmakers’ elimination of a separate local ballot question in Newport, the measure will fail if a majority of Newporters reject Questions 1 and 2 -- even if a majority of Rhode Islanders approve. JobsForNewport, a lobbyist group formed by the primary investors behind the Newport Entertainment Center, have run a vigorous campaign urging voters to approve Questions 1 and 2. Their core argument is that the existing facility is doomed without table games and hundreds of jobs are at risk without the proposed $40 million-plus expansion. They claim the project would create more than 700 jobs and preserve state gambling revenue, which has been on a decline in recent years. They also have promised to preserve some of the entertainment lost by the closure of the Newport Yachting Center.

Opposed to casino expansion are many Newporters who feel that expanded gambling is a bad deal in the long run and a less-than-ideal form of economic investment. The group NoCasinoRI has run a similarly aggressive campaign against Questions 1 and 2, which suggests the negative impacts of the casino would outweigh any potential revenue gains. They believe casino guests won’t necessarily bring business to the rest of Newpor and the project threatens a proposed innovation hub proposed for the city’s so-called “road to nowhere.”

Some locals also believe that Newport does not have a fair deal. The referendum would give the state 60 percent of casino’s net terminal income and Newport would just get 1 percent.

Question 3 asks “Shall there be a convention to amend or revise the Constitution?”

Voters are asked every 10 years whether to call a constitutional convention and if approved, it would mark the first state convention in nearly 30 years and another election would be held to select delegates from each of the town’s 75 representative districts.

Supporters, including RenewRI, strongly support a convention, arguing that it’s time for the constitution to get an update.

Specific changes could include the resumption of Ethics Commission jurisdiction over the General Assembly, institution of a line-item veto for the Governor, adjustment to the judicial selection process among others.

Opponents argue that existing laws provide a framework for changes and a convention opens the doors to special interest groups. Many Democrats opposing the con con have suggested that the convention could result in proposals to limit a woman’s right to choose or threaten measures like affirmative action, voting rights and immigration rights. They also argue that the cost of the convention could be several million dollars.

Question 4 asks voters to approve general obligation bonds not to exceed $125 million to build a new college of engineering at the University of Rhode Island’s campus.

The school hopes to replace its aging facilities with a new building to anchor the Engineering Quadrangle at its Kingston campus and construct state-of-the-art instructional and research facilities.

The group Engineering Rhode Island’s Future was formed to lobby on behalf of Question 4.

Suporters note that enrollment in the college of engineering has increased by nearly 40 percent but the buildings date to the 1940s. For URI to keep up with the pace of industry and technology, its buildings need to keep up.

URI plans to raise about $20 million in private funding to support the project.

Question 5 asks voters to approve $35 million in creative and cultural economy bonds to infuse a slew of state cultural institutions with cash for upgrades and projects.

According to the ballot:

(a) Provides funds for 1:1 matching grants for a new Cultural Arts and the Economy Grant program to be administered by the Rhode Island State Council on the Arts for capital improvement, preservation and renovation projects for public and nonprofit artistic, performance centers and cultural art centers located throughout the State of Rhode Island.

1. Trinity Repertory Company $4,647,750 For the Lederer Theater and the Pell Chafee Performance Center, both in Providence, used for performance facilities, educational instruction, production and administration, including reimbursements of advances of up to $1,500,000 expended for ongoing fire code upgrades.

2. Rhode Island Philharmonic $2,390,250For the Carter Center for Music Education and Performance in East Providence, used for music teaching, learning, performance and administration.

3. Newport Performing Arts Center $4,216,800For the Opera House in Newport for use as a multi-cultural performing arts and educational facility.

4. United Theater/Westerly Land Trust $2,369,440For the United Theater in Westerly for use as space for performing arts, fine arts showcase, arts instruction, cinema, public television station and program administration.

5. The Chorus of Westerly $1,054,200For the George Kent Performance Hall in Westerly for music and arts performance, teaching and rehearsal space, administrative and community function space.

6. The Stadium Theater Conservatory in Woonsocket $2,108,400For set construction, costuming, rehearsal, voice, acting and dance studios and administrative spaces.

7. 2nd Story Theater $1,054,200For performance venues in Warren, including concessions studio/classroom space, set construction shop and administrative offices.

8. AS220 $2,108,400For AS220’s facilities in Providence used for performing arts, dance studio, youth and adult education, gallery and artist live/work space.

9. WaterFire Providence $3,162,600To develop a 27,000 square foot historic warehouse in the Valley/Olneyville neighborhood into its headquarters, multi-use community arts center, visitor center, education center and arts and creative industries incubator.

10. Other funds to be allocated by RISCA $6,887,960For 1:1 matching grants to be allocated by the Rhode Island State Council on the Arts to 501(c)(3) nonprofit cultural organizations which lease or own their performance space, and for RISCA’s expenses in administering the program. In awarding such grants RISCA shall take into account financial need, the availability or actual expenditure of matching funds for the projects, available gifts or grants for projects, the amount of square footage to be improved, the geographical location and characteristics of audiences benefitted.

(b) State Preservation Grants Program $5,000,000

Provide funds to cities, towns and non-profit organizations to preserve, renovate and improve public and nonprofit historic sites, museums, and cultural art centers located in historic structures in the State of Rhode Island to be administered by the Rhode Island Historical Preservation and Heritage Commission.

Question 6 asks voters to approve $35 million in general obligation bonds to fund improvements to mass transit hub infrastructure throughout Rhode Island. The majority of work would be to improve access to intermodal sites, key transportation, healthcare and other locations.

Question 7 asks voters to approve $53 million in bonds to fund clean water, open space and healthy community projects. Among the projects are $15 million to build a new tropical rainforest building at Roger Williams Park Zoo and a news education center. A full breakdown of bond projects are listed here: http://www.voteyeson7.org/project-summaries.html