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Rhode Island Newport Grand Casino Measure, Question 2 (2012)
| Question 2 | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Type | Legislatively referred state statute |
| Origin | Rhode Island General Assembly |
| Topic | Gambling |
| Status |  |
The Rhode Island Newport Grand Casino Measure, also known as Question 2, was a legislatively referred state statute on the November 6, 2012 ballot in the state of Rhode Island, where it was approved.
The measure authorized casino games at Newport Grand. The measure was similar to the other casino measure, also on the ballot, that authorized casino games at Twin River. The measure was considered in 2012 state legislative session.[1]
Election results
- See also: 2012 ballot measure election results
The following are official election results:
| Rhode Island Question 2 (2012) | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Result | Votes | Percentage | ||
| Yes | 267,819 | 66.5% | ||
| No | 134,694 | 33.5% | ||
Results via: The Rhode Island State Board of Elections.
Text of measure
Ballot language
The ballot language that voters saw on the ballot reads:[2]
| “ | 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?[3] | ” |
Support
- State Senator Juan Pichardo stated support by saying: "Someday Rhode Island will wake up and we'll have casinos all around us. Now we just have to hope this (referendum) gets approved."[4]
- Diane Hurley, Newport Grand’s chief executive and co-owner, stated: "Acquiring table games is essential for our long-term survival. Newport itself is in danger because those casinos have the ability to give away what is the revenue source for Newport. That would be hotels, restaurants, shopping."[5]
Opposition
- Nancy Corkery, a Newport resident and a member of Citizens Concerned About Casino Gambling, stated: "What we sell here is the charm and uniqueness of this community. A big casino would change that."[5]
- State Senator Louis Dipalma, who was only one of two senate votes against sending the measure to the ballot during 2012 state legislative session, stated: "The economic times are different, but I still don't believe this is the right thing for us to be doing."[4]
Related legislation
State Senator Harold Metts stated in March 2012 that he was sponsoring legislation to allocate revenue raked in by casinos to fund schools in the state.[6]
Lawsuit
- More information concerning litigation against this measure and a related Rhode Island casino measure can be found here.
Path to the ballot
Section 1 of Article 14 of the Rhode Island Constitution says that the Rhode Island General Assembly can initiate the process of amendment "by a roll call vote of a majority of the members elected to each house."
According to reports, the measure was introduced on February 14, 2012.[7]
On February 29, 2012, the House Finance Committee endorsed putting the question on the ballot, sending the proposal to the full chamber for a vote. The state house then voted to approve the measure with a tally of 69 to 3, sending it to the Rhode Island State Senate for a similar vote.[8][9]
Senate action
According to reports in March 2012, the Rhode Island State Senate planned to amend the bill to mandate that a study commissioned by Rhode Island Governor Lincoln Chafee's office be conducted. This would meet a requirement in the casino bill that says that the state should "conduct an extensive analysis and evaluation of competitive casino gambling operations."[10]
Then on April 4, 2012, the state senate voted 35-2 to place the measure on the ballot. After the Rhode Island House of Representatives voted to approve the amendments made to the bill, the measure then was then sent to Rhode Island Governor Lincoln Chafee for his signature, which is needed for ballot access in November 2012.[4][11]
On Wednesday, April 11, 2012, Gov. Chafee signed the legislation, thus moving the measure on to this year's ballot.[12]
See also
External links
Additional reading
- Boston.com, "Rhode Island panel to vote on casino referendum," March 28, 2012
- CBS News, "Gambling referendum to appear on RI ballot," August 24, 2012 (dead link)
Footnotes
- ↑ The Day, "R.I. lawmaker says casino vote likely," January 27, 2012
- ↑ Rhode Island Secretary of State, "Voter Handbook - 2012," accessed September 11, 2012
- ↑ Note: This text is quoted verbatim from the original source. Any inconsistencies are attributable to the original source.
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 Turn to 10, "RI Senate endorses Newport casino referendum," April 4, 2012
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 Boston.com, "Voters likely to decide casino question in RI," March 4, 2012 (dead link)
- ↑ NECN.com, "RI lawmaker: any casino funds should go to schools," accessed March 16, 2012 (dead link)
- ↑ Providence Journal, "R.I. lawmakers submit bill to put Newport Grand casino question on ballot," February 14, 2012
- ↑ Taunton Gazette, "RI House endorses Newport casino referendum," March 6, 2012
- ↑ HTR News, "RI casino referendum passes legislative panel," February 29, 2012
- ↑ The Providence Journal, "R.I. Senate to amend Newport Grand casino ballot question," March 26, 2012
- ↑ Business Week, "Newport Grand casino referendum heads to RI Gov.?" April 6, 2012
- ↑ Portsmouth Patch, "Voters Will Decide on Newport Grand Expansion," April 12, 2012
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