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Rhode Island Twin River Casino in Tiverton, Question 1 (2016)
| Rhode Island Question 1 | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Election date November 8, 2016 | |
| Topic Gambling | |
Status Approved | |
| Type State statute | Origin State legislature |
| 2016 measures |
|---|
 |
| November 8 |
| Question 1 |
| Question 2 |
| Question 3 |
| Question 4 |
| Question 5 |
| Question 6 |
| Question 7 |
| Polls |
| Voter guides |
| Campaign finance |
| Signature costs |
The Rhode Island Twin River Casino in Tiverton, also known as Question 1, was on the November 8, 2016, ballot in Rhode Island as a legislatively referred state statute. It was approved.
| A "yes" vote supported establishing a gaming facility in the town of Tiverton. |
| A "no" vote opposed establishing a gaming facility in the town of Tiverton. |
Election results
| Question 1 | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Result | Votes | Percentage | ||
| Yes | 234,327 | 54.95% | ||
| No | 192,107 | 45.05% | ||
- Election results from Rhode Island Board of Elections
Overview
Measure design
The measure authorized establishing a facility licensed as a pari-mutuel facility that has state-operated video lottery games and casino gaming. Question 1 required that the state receive 15.5 percent of table games and 61 percent of video lottery terminal revenues. In addition, the measure allowed Tiverton to keep one percent of table game and 1.45 percent of video lottery terminal revenues, and to be guaranteed at least $3 million annually, with any discrepancies to be paid out of the state's share.[1][2][3]
The question was designed to be approved by voters statewide and voters in Tiverton.[3]
Text of measure
Ballot title
The ballot title was as follows:[1]
| “ |
1. State Constitutional Approval Approval of an act authorizing state-operated casino gaming at “Twin River-Tiverton” in the Town of Tiverton Section 22 of Article VI of the Constitution[4] |
” |
Ballot summary
The ballot summary was as follows:
| “ | Shall an act be approved which would authorize a facility owned by Twin River-Tiverton, LLC, located in the Town of Tiverton at the intersection of William S. Canning Boulevard and Stafford Road, to be licensed as a pari-mutuel facility and offer state-operated video-lottery games and state-operated casino gaming, such as table games?[4] | ” |
Full text
The text of the measure can be found here.
Support
Yes on Question 1/Citizens to Create Jobs and Protect Revenue Inc. led the support campaign for Question 1.[5][6]
Supporters
The Yes on Question 1 campaign website listed the following partners for its coalition:[7]
Tiverton supporters
Statewide supporters
|
Ad paid for by Citizens for Yes on Question 1. |
Other supporters
- Gov. Gina Raimondo[8]
- Rep. John DeSimone (D-5)[3]
- Laurie White, President of the Greater Providence Chamber of Commerce[9]
- George Nee, President of the Rhode Island AFL-CIO[10]
Arguments
Rhode Island House Majority Leader John DeSimone said:[3]
| “ | This legislation is about protecting our state’s third-largest revenue source. We can’t allow our gaming facilities to be left behind when newer, bigger facilities open in Massachusetts. Remaining competitive is critical to this industry, and the state has a significant stake in its success. The new facility in Tiverton will keep Rhode Island dollars in Rhode Island, and could bring in money from out-of-staters as well.[4] | ” |
The Yes on Question 1 campaign website listed the following as arguments in favor of the measure:[9]
- Good for the local economy
- Hundreds of new local jobs
- Local road improvements
- Blending into the community
- Preserves and protects local environment
- Efficient water use
- Safe and secure
Opposition
Opponents
- No Tiverton Casino[11]
- Interfaith Clergy of Tiverton and Little Compton[12]
- No Casino RI[11]
- Stop Predatory Gambling[11]
Arguments
No Tiverton Casino published the following argument regarding a potential casino in Tiverton:[11]
| “ |
Rhode Island and Tiverton will not be the only ones hurt by the reliance on, and potential expansion of, gaming. The poorest and most vulnerable citizens of Rhode Island and nearby southeastern Massachusetts, the people who have been struggling for years, are put most at risk. Gambling is nothing more than yet another tax on the poor. Furthermore, the subsequent financial struggles, foreclosures, family problems, etc. will add to the area's list of significant woes. Don't be fooled. No Tiverton Casino![4] |
” |
In a guest commentary for Herald News, Johne E. Higginbotham, the rector of the Holy Trinity Episcopal Church in Tiverton, and the Interfaith Clergy of Tiverton and Little Compton gave the following reasons to oppose Question 1:[12]
|
Arlene Violet, an attorney and former state attorney general, wrote the following in a 2015 editorial:[13]
| “ |
For years, politicians have bemoaned the over-dependency on gambling revenue and preached the need to diversify the economic base. Yet, they refuse to take the needle out of their respective arms and are now about to inject Tiverton residents with hazy dreams of fortune. [...] Now the solons are playing a catch-up game which inevitably will putter out. Casinos merely buy more time before the state's demise. The solution is this: Leave Newport Grand in place and start implementing an economic revolution for a real economy. Put the chips down on that![4] |
” |
Background
Casinos across the states
The American Gaming Association produced data on commercial casinos, which included land-based, riverboat, dockside, and racetrack casinos, for the year 2012. The table below compares the number of casinos, total commercial casino revenue, total tax revenue, tax revenue as a percentage of total revenue, total employee wages, and employee wages per capita for each state with operating commercial casinos. Native American-owned casinos were excluded from AGA's calculations.[14]
| State | Date of legalization | Number of casinos in 2012 | Gross casino/gaming revenue (in millions) | Tax revenue (in millions) | Tax revenue as % of gaming revenue | Employee wages (in millions) | Casino employees | Casino employee wages per capita |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Colorado | 1990 | 41 | $766.25 | $104.26 | 13.61% | $216.74 | 9,278 | $23,360.64 |
| Delaware | 1994 | 3 | $526.67 | $217.44 | 41.29% | $105.19 | 2,775 | $37,906.31 |
| Florida | 2006 | 6 | $427.89 | $161.76 | 37.80% | $104.66 | 3,319 | $31,533.59 |
| Illinois | 1990 | 10 | $1,639.00 | $574.34 | 35.04% | $324.48 | 7,687 | $42,211.53 |
| Indiana | 1993 | 13 | $2,614.00 | $806.56 | 30.86% | $461.82 | 12,543 | $36,818.94 |
| Iowa | 1989 | 18 | $1,467.00 | $334.43 | 22.80% | $341.09 | 9,558 | $35,686.34 |
| Kansas | 2007 | 3 | $341.15 | $92.17 | 27.02% | $50.45 | 1,344 | $37,537.20 |
| Louisiana | 1991 | 18 | $2,404.00 | $579.45 | 24.10% | $631.00 | 15,061 | $41,896.29 |
| Maine | 2004 | 2 | $99.22 | $43.11 | 43.45% | $11.90 | 879 | $13,538.11 |
| Maryland | 2008 | 3 | $377.81 | $218.20 | 57.75% | $17.47 | 499 | $35,010.02 |
| Michigan | 1996 | 3 | $1,417.00 | $319.75 | 22.57% | $366.53 | 7,972 | $45,977.17 |
| Mississippi | 1990 | 30 | $2,251.00 | $272.73 | 12.12% | $847.66 | 23,277 | $36,416.20 |
| Missouri | 1993 | 13 | $1,769.00 | $471.410 | 26.65% | $335.90 | 9,631 | $34,876.96 |
| Nevada | 1931 | 265 | $10,860.00 | $868.60 | 8.00% | $7,693.0 | 170,206 | $45,198.17 |
| New Jersey | 1976 | 12 | $3,051.00 | $254.84 | 8.35% | $912.22 | 34,726 | $26,269.08 |
| New Mexico | 1997 | 5 | $241.48 | $62.79 | 26.00% | $29.77 | 918 | $32,429.19 |
| New York | 2001 | 9 | $1,802.00 | $822.67 | 45.65% | $189.63 | 5,233 | $36,237.34 |
| Ohio | 2009 | 4 | $429.83 | $138.18 | 32.15% | $91.27 | 4,197 | $21,746.49 |
| Oklahoma | 2004 | 2 | $113.06 | $20.38 | 18.03% | N/A[15] | 870 | N/A[15] |
| Pennsylvania | 2004 | 11 | $3,158.00 | $1,487.00 | 47.09% | $339.77 | 10,162 | $33,435.35 |
| Rhode Island | 1992 | 2 | $527.96 | $328.98 | 62.31% | N/A[15] | N/A[15] | N/A[15] |
| South Dakota | 1989 | 35 | $107.36 | $16.62 | 15.48% | $38.170 | 1,686 | $22,639.38 |
| West Virginia | 1994 | 5 | $948.81 | $402.50 | 42.42% | $134.68 | 4,351 | $30,953.80 |
Campaign finance
As of February 15, 2017, the support campaign for Question 1 featured one ballot question committee, Citizens to Create Jobs and Protect Revenue, Inc., that received a total of $4,952,620.91 in contributions. Twin River Management Group, Inc. funded the campaign. The committee spent $4,960,600.91.[16]
No ballot question committees registered to oppose Question 1.[16]
| Cash Contributions | In-Kind Contributions | Total Contributions | Cash Expenditures | Total Expenditures | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Support | $4,845,015.31 | $107,605.60 | $4,952,620.91 | $4,852,995.31 | $4,960,600.91 |
| Oppose | $0.00 | $0.00 | $0.00 | $0.00 | $0.00 |
| Total | $4,845,015.31 | $107,605.60 | $4,952,620.91 | $4,852,995.31 | $4,960,600.91 |
Support
The following table includes contribution and expenditure totals for the committees in support of the measure.[16]
| Committees in support of Question 1 | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Committee | Cash Contributions | In-Kind Contributions | Total Contributions | Cash Expenditures | Total Expenditures |
| Citizens to Create Jobs and Protect Revenue, Inc. | $4,845,015.31 | $107,605.60 | $4,952,620.91 | $4,852,995.31 | $4,960,600.91 |
| Total | $4,845,015.31 | $107,605.60 | $4,952,620.91 | $4,852,995.31 | $4,960,600.91 |
Media editorials
Support
- The Herald News editorial board said the following in support of Question 1:[17]
| “ | This proposal represents a great opportunity for Tiverton to reap significant revenue with little impact. If it’s approved, the casino could open as soon as 2018, bringing much-needed jobs and economic activity to Greater Fall River.[4] | ” |
The Herald News board published another support editorial for Question 1 on November 3, 2016.[18]
- The Providence Journal editorial board said the following in support Question 1:[19]
| “ |
With Rhode Island looking at structural budget deficits that are projected to be as high as $330 million by 2021, the dollars projected for Tiverton would certainly come in handy. The General Assembly should put this project to voters this November.[4] |
” |
The editorial board followed up its March editorial with a support editorial published on October 11, 2016.[20]
Opposition
Ballotpedia has not found media editorials opposing the measure. If you are aware of an editorial, please email it to editor@ballotpedia.org.
Path to the ballot
A majority vote in both chambers of the Rhode Island Legislature was required to refer the bill to the ballot.
On March 2, 2016, the Rhode Island House of Representatives approved Senate Bill 2081, with 69 representatives voting "yea" and four voting "nay." The Rhode Island Senate approved the measure the next day, with 33 senators voting "yea" and two voting "nay." The Rhode Island Governor signed the legislation for the measure on March 4, 2016.[2]
House vote
March 2, 2016
| Rhode Island SB 2081 House vote | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Result | Votes | Percentage | ||
| Yes | 69 | 94.52% | ||
| No | 4 | 5.48% | ||
Senate vote
March 3, 2016
| Rhode Island SB 2081 Senate Vote | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Result | Votes | Percentage | ||
| Yes | 33 | 94.29% | ||
| No | 2 | 5.71% | ||
State profile
| Demographic data for Rhode Island | ||
|---|---|---|
| Rhode Island | U.S. | |
| Total population: | 1,055,607 | 316,515,021 |
| Land area (sq mi): | 1,034 | 3,531,905 |
| Race and ethnicity** | ||
| White: | 81.1% | 73.6% |
| Black/African American: | 6.5% | 12.6% |
| Asian: | 3.2% | 5.1% |
| Native American: | 0.5% | 0.8% |
| Pacific Islander: | 0% | 0.2% |
| Two or more: | 2.8% | 3% |
| Hispanic/Latino: | 13.6% | 17.1% |
| Education | ||
| High school graduation rate: | 86.2% | 86.7% |
| College graduation rate: | 31.9% | 29.8% |
| Income | ||
| Median household income: | $56,852 | $53,889 |
| Persons below poverty level: | 17.3% | 11.3% |
| Source: U.S. Census Bureau, "American Community Survey" (5-year estimates 2010-2015) Click here for more information on the 2020 census and here for more on its impact on the redistricting process in Rhode Island. **Note: Percentages for race and ethnicity may add up to more than 100 percent because respondents may report more than one race and the Hispanic/Latino ethnicity may be selected in conjunction with any race. Read more about race and ethnicity in the census here. | ||
Presidential voting pattern
Rhode Island voted for the Democratic candidate in all seven presidential elections between 2000 and 2024.
Pivot Counties (2016)
Ballotpedia identified 206 counties that voted for Donald Trump (R) in 2016 after voting for Barack Obama (D) in 2008 and 2012. Collectively, Trump won these Pivot Counties by more than 580,000 votes. Of these 206 counties, one is located in Rhode Island, accounting for 0.5 percent of the total pivot counties.[21]
Pivot Counties (2020)
In 2020, Ballotpedia re-examined the 206 Pivot Counties to view their voting patterns following that year's presidential election. Ballotpedia defined those won by Trump won as Retained Pivot Counties and those won by Joe Biden (D) as Boomerang Pivot Counties. Nationwide, there were 181 Retained Pivot Counties and 25 Boomerang Pivot Counties. Rhode Island had one Boomerang Pivot County, 4.00 percent of all Boomerang Pivot Counties.
More Rhode Island coverage on Ballotpedia
- Elections in Rhode Island
- United States congressional delegations from Rhode Island
- Public policy in Rhode Island
- Endorsers in Rhode Island
- Rhode Island fact checks
- More...
Related measures
| Gambling measures on the ballot in 2016 | |
|---|---|
| State | Measures |
| Massachusetts | Massachusetts Authorization of a Second Slots Location, Question 1  |
Recent news:
Recent news
The link below is to the most recent stories in a Google news search for the terms Rhode Island Question 1 Tiverton Twin River casino 2016. These results are automatically generated from Google. Ballotpedia does not curate or endorse these articles.
See also
- Rhode Island 2016 ballot measures
- 2016 ballot measures
- Rhode Island Legislature
- General fund revenue sources
External links
Support
- Yes on Question 1 website
- Yes on Question 1 Facebook
- Yes on Question 1 Twitter
- Yes on Question 1 YouTube
Opposition
Footnotes
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 Rhode Island General Assembly, "S 2081," accessed March 8, 2016
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 WPRO, "Gov. Raimondo sends Tiverton casino question to voters," March 4, 2016
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 What's Up Newp, "Voters Will Decide in November if Newport Grand Goes to Tiverton," March 3, 2016
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 4.3 4.4 4.5 4.6 4.7 Note: This text is quoted verbatim from the original source. Any inconsistencies are attributable to the original source.
- ↑ Yes on Question 1, "Home," accessed September 11, 2016
- ↑ The Herald News, "Twin River begins drive to woo voters for November vote," March 8, 2016
- ↑ Yes on Question 1, "Our Coalition," accessed September 11, 2016
- ↑ Rhode Island Public Radio, "Voters To Decide Twin River's Tiverton Proposal," March 4, 2016
- ↑ 9.0 9.1 Citizens to Create Jobs and Protect Revenue, Inc., "Yes on Question 1," accessed July 5, 2016
- ↑ Providence Journal, "Promise of jobs kicks off campaign for Tiverton casino," June 21, 2016
- ↑ 11.0 11.1 11.2 11.3 No Tiverton Casino, "Culture of Addiction Starts at Top, Crashes at Bottom," accessed July 5, 2016
- ↑ 12.0 12.1 Herald News, "Guest Opinion: Vote no on 'predatory gambling' in Tiverton," June 22, 2016
- ↑ The Valley Breeze, "ARLENE VIOLET - Stick the needle in Tiverton's arms," April 28, 2015
- ↑ American Gaming Association, "2013 State of the State," May 2014
- ↑ 15.0 15.1 15.2 15.3 15.4 Firms declined to provide data to the AGA.
- ↑ 16.0 16.1 16.2 Rhode Island Board of Elections, "ERTS," accessed November 3, 2016
- ↑ The Herald News, "Our View: Time to settle net school spending dispute," March 6, 2016
- ↑ Herald News, "Our View: Vote Yes on Rhode Island casino ballot questions," November 3, 2016
- ↑ Providence Journal, "Editorial: Vote on casino," March 2, 2016
- ↑ Providence Journal, "Editorial: Vote Yes on Question 1 on Tiverton casino," October 11, 2016
- ↑ The raw data for this study was provided by Dave Leip of Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections.
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