"We have a responsibility to the people we represent and to the state," says Rep. Kenneth J. Mendonca, a Portsmouth Republican. But PawSox Chairman Larry Lucchino says, "We would take this under advisement."

PROVIDENCE, R.I. — As the state's House Finance Committee first delved into the proposal Tuesday night for the state and city to issue $38 million worth of bonds to raise money toward a new $83-million PawSox ballpark, state representatives indicated they're still seeking more detailed answers than the team and city have so far provided.

Near the beginning of a nearly four-hour hearing, Rep. Kenneth J. Mendonca, a Portsmouth Republican, asked if the Triple-A affiliate of the Boston Red Sox has provided the team's balance sheet to the state throughout the course of negotiations. He circled back to that point several times.

"We have a responsibility to the people we represent and to the state," Mendonca said. "There are times when we see formulas that don't reap the benefits we had anticipated."

He said legislators know the state's and Pawtucket's finances, and they want to know the team's finances so that if they're asked to vote on a stadium-funding proposal: "We can say we voted with all the information that we had."

Under the proposed deal that needs legislative approval, the team would pay back $33 million in additional bonds to be issued by the Pawtucket Redevelopment Agency. All three entities would pay off $71 million in bonds over 30 years — and say they believe additional tax revenue and stadium-naming rights will more than cover principal and interest payments.

Plus, the PawSox say they'll provide $12 million up front.

Although a financial consultant working with the team — Mitchell Ziets, principal of Tipping Point Sports — said he didn't "see any issues with sharing those" balance sheets, PawSox Chairman Larry Lucchino expressed reluctance.

"We would take this under advisement," Lucchino said to another request for the team's balance sheet by Mendonca.

Lucchino also stressed the team has proposed paying a higher portion of overall stadium costs than any other AAA or AA ballclub has done over the past decade when helping to build publicly-owned stadiums. Like the PawSox's 75-year-old McCoy Stadium, a new ballpark the team hopes to build at the Apex department store site would be city owned, leased to the state and subleased to the team.

Lucchino emphasized that the team must report its financial standing each year to baseball's International League — reports that he said indicate the team has a "solid balance sheet year after year." Lucchino pushed back to Mendonca, saying the proposed stadium financing deal is not a "legal investment," although he said he'd agree to provide legislators with a letter from the team's accountants.

"We're not going into business with each other. We're building public infrastructure," Lucchino said. "That's the reason why we may defer or demur to the questions."

To that, Rep. Kenneth A. Marshall, a Democrat from Bristol, took up Mendonca's request to see the team's balance sheet. While this might not be a legal partnership, he told Lucchino it is a "financial commitment" by both parties: "You're asking us to take a leap of faith that if we build it they will come."

Other representatives peppered the team, City of Pawtucket and state leaders with additional questions.

Republican Rep. Patricia Morgan, who has indicated she may run for governor next year, sought details of a future lease that would be drawn up, pressed to know what infrastructure costs might be necessary. She also wanted to know if parking would remain free.

Lucchino said "affordable family entertainment" remains a priority: "It is our current plan to keep some free parking," although the amount hasn't been determined.

Throughout the night, Lucchino offered glimpses of what the state pressed for during negotiations.

"What is included — and this causes me some anxiety — is the blanket agreement for the team to cover construction-cost overruns," Lucchino said. "That is the biggest risk. ... The most obvious risk is construction-cost overruns, and the state and city were undeterred in believing we have to bear those costs."

Marshall questioned whether the Commerce Corporation has put "Pawtucket's financial future in harm's way."

"On the contrary," Commerce Secretary Stefan Pryor replied, saying his team's objective includes ensuring the health and "enhanced vitality of Pawtucket." Pryor told the committee: "We think it is a deal worth doing."