House committee supports asking court for opinion on casino plan
PROVIDENCE, R.I. (AP) -- The House Judiciary Committee has voted to ask the state Supreme Court for an advisory opinion on the constitutionality of the latest West Warwick casino proposal.
The committee voted 10-to-1 on Thursday to send the measure to the full House, which is expected to debate and vote on the legislation on Wednesday.
The committee�s vote came over strong opposition from Gov. Don Carcieri, who believes there is no way the proposed casino is constitutional.
Harrah�s Entertainment, in partnership with the Narragansett Indian Tribe, wants to build a resort-style casino in the West Warwick Industrial Park.
Last year, the state Supreme Court said a ballot question asking voters to approve a casino built by Harrah�s was unconstitutional because of a prohibition on privately run gambling.
Casino supporters believe they have gotten around that prohibition with this year�s proposal by recasting the legislation to say that the tribe and Harrah�s would contract with the state to manage the casino.
They want to ask the court for its opinion to avoid a repeat of last year, when the governor sought an advisory opinion which led to the question being pulled from the ballot.
Carcieri on Thursday denounced their efforts as a �charade,� The Providence Journal reported.
�It�s like calling a wolf a dog,� Carcieri said. �This is a Harrah�s casino. That�s what it is.�
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