NEW: Bill Introduced to Require Voter Approval for PawSox Stadium Deal

New legislation has been introduced that would require voters to “approve any financial arrangement that obligates the state to fund the debts of others with respect to a baseball stadium.”

“PawSox owners presented an attractive rendering of their ballpark stadium that would take up approximately 9 ½ acres of prime downtown real estate. The problem is they want taxpayers to finance the deal without the required voter approval,” said Representative Blake Filippi (I-Charlestown, South Kingstown, New Shoreham, Westerly), who introduced the legislation.

“Once again, we have a proposal that indebts taxpayers through lease arrangements; a creative, yet dubious, structure employed to skirt the R.I. Constitution’s requirement that the People approve debt,” continued Filippi. “While a downtown stadium is a nice idea, I will resist any proposal that puts the peoples’ treasure on the hook for a speculative venture that funnels all profits into the pockets of the PawSox’s owners. Public risk with private gain is the very definition of crony corporatism, and we must reject these voodoo economics.”

“The former I-195 land must create a flurry of business and innovation with professional, high-paying jobs. This proposal clearly misses the mark. Let’s not take our eye off the ball,” concluded Filippi.

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