Rhode Island voters will vote today on nine statewide ballot questions, including three state constitutional amendments and six bond issues.
Question 1: Narragansett Indian CasinoQuestion 1 is an amendment to the Rhode Island constitution to authorize the construction of a resort casino in West Warwick. The casino would be owned and operated by the Narragansett Indian tribe and its "chosen partner," currently Harrah's Entertainment. The amendment also provides for a gaming revenue tax with proceeds dedicated to property tax relief, the rate of which would be determined by the General Assembly following passage of Question 1.
Supporters of Question 1 claim the casino will generate $144 million in property tax relief and create 3,200 permanent jobs along with 3,500 construction jobs. Opponents claim the casino will hurt local businesses and existing slot parlors and that Harrah's has made no guarantees about revenues or taxes. If built, the casino would pay a 25-percent tax on gaming revenue. Current slot parlors Newport Grand and Lincoln Park pay a 60-percent revenue tax.
Las Vegas-based Harrah's has spent over $100,000 a day in advertising for the casino over the last week alone, for a total of over $10 million in campaign spending.
Question 2: Restoration of Voting RightsIf passed, Question 2 would amend the Rhode Island constitution to grant convicted felons released from prison but currently serving a parole or probation sentence the right to vote. The amendment would restore voting rights to 15,000 Rhode Island residents. According to the Rhode Island Right to Vote campaign, prohibiting these felons from voting has a disproportional impact on minority communities - in South Providence, over 10 percent of otherwise eligible voters cannot vote. Supporters of Question 2 claim felon enfranchisement will help reintegrate felons back into society.
State Sen. Leonidas Raptakis, D-Dist. 33, spoke against Question 2 at a Brown Democrats ballot question forum held earlier this month. Raptakis said parole and probation are still part of a criminal's sentence and Question 2 does not take into account the severity of certain felonies like rape and murder.
Question 3: Budget Reserve AccountQuestion 3 amends the Rhode Island constitution to raise the cap on the "rainy day fund," a budget reserve account established in 1994 for the General Assembly to use during poor economic times. Currently, the fund cannot exceed 3 percent of state revenue. Question 3 would raise that cap to 5 percent while lowering the permissible level of annual government spending from 98 to 97 percent of total state revenue. In an editorial published in the Providence Journal, executive director of the Rhode Island Public Expenditure Council Gary Sasse wrote that Question 3 would promote fiscal responsibility and protect future state investments.
Question 4: Higher Education BondsQuestion 4 would permit the state to issue over $72 million in bonds to update facilities at state colleges. Of this, $65 million would go toward constructing a new pharmacy college building at the University of Rhode Island, and $7.79 million would go toward renovating the former Department of Children, Youth and Families facilities at Rhode Island College.
Lynn Clapham, a former URI employee, said the university is in need of improving its out-of-date pharmacy school in order to attract those interested in the high-demand profession. Opponents contend the spending would be unnecessary because of the state's current level of debt and because Question 4 would attract non-Rhode Island residents more likely to need tuition assistance to public colleges. Accounting for interest, Question 4 would cost the state $127 million.
Question 5: Transportation BondsQuestion 5 would allow Rhode Island to issue over $88 million in bonds to fund transportation improvements across the state. Among the improvements, $80 million would go toward matching federal dollars funding highway, road and bridge improvements. Meanwhile, $7 million would fund a commuter rail line to the new Wickford Junction train station, located south of Providence, and $1.5 million would go to the Rhode Island Public Transit Authority to buy as well as refurbish buses. Supporters of Question 5 say the funds would help secure hundreds of millions of dollars in federal matching funds and improve state roads while reducing congestion.
Question 6: Roger Williams Park Zoo BondsQuestion 6 would allow the state to issue $11 million in bonds to improve the Roger Williams Park Zoo in Providence. This bond issue is part of the Rhode Island Zoological Society's plans for a $35 million expansion and renovation of its exhibition and research facilities at the zoo. Current projects include plans to bring three new polar bears to the zoo and expand and upgrade its North America and Plains of Africa exhibits.
Question 7: Fort Adams State Park Recreation and Restoration BondsQuestion 7 would permit Rhode Island to issue $4 million in bonds to restore, improve and expand recreational facilities at the Fort Adams State Park in Newport. With interest, this bond issue would ultimately cost the state $7 million.
Question 8: Department of Environmental Management BondsQuestion 8 would allow the state to issue $3 million in bonds for the Local Recreation Development Program, which assists communities in developing parks and recreation facilities. This bond issue would provide state grant money to fund up to 50 percent of the cost of constructing local parks and recreational areas. With interest, Question 8 would ultimately cost the state $5.2 million.
Question 9: Affordable Housing BondsQuestion 9 would permit Rhode Island to issue $50 million in affordable housing bonds. The bond issue would create up to 2,000 new affordable housing units over the next four years - almost 500 more than the total number of housing units added statewide between July 2004 and July 2005. For housing to qualify as "affordable," its price must not exceed 30 percent of a family's gross household income. Both gubernatorial candidates, Republican Gov. Don Carcieri '65 and Democrat Lt. Gov. Charles Fogarty, have come out in support of Question 9, along with Mayor David Cicilline '83.
According to the state's Low and Moderate Income Housing Act, 10 percent of housing in a given community must qualify as affordable. Currently, only five of Rhode Island's 39 cities and towns - Central Falls, East Providence, Newport, Providence and Woonsocket - currently meet that requirement. Supporters of Question 9 claim that if the bond issue is approved, Rhode Island will be eligible for $450 million in federal housing subsidies and private loans to construct new affordable housing as well as convert abandoned buildings into affordable housing units.
