“Jobs are Very Much at Risk” - Raimondo Warns GA of Potential Loss to RI in Lottery Contract Battle
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“Jobs are Very Much at Risk” - Raimondo Warns GA of Potential Loss to RI in Lottery Contract Battle
“Absolutely that is the concern," said Raimondo, following her appearance before the House Finance Committee at General Assembly. “That’s what I tried to suggest to the Assembly. It is a very real risk. I want Rhode Island to understand that.”
VIDEO: See Raimondo’s Testimony Below
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Raimondo on Record
Raimondo said Tuesday that she gave her negotiating team “three principles to follow” when crafting the contract extension with IGT.
“Any proposed contract had to be stronger in every way than the existing contract; It had to be competitive with comparable contracts in other states, and it needed to contain a rock solid guarantee that iGT’s jobs and headquarters stay in Rhode Island for the next 20 years,” said Raimondo.
Raimondo noted that no-bid, legislative approval has been the “standard process” for the extension of the lottery contracts in the state for the last 20 years.
“We’re at the risk of losing 1000 high paying jobs - that’s what’s at stake here,” said Raimondo. “There are only 3 companies in the country capable of running lotteries, and only one was founded in Rhode Island.”
“I say we root for the home team. There would be massive disruption and risk with switching to another vendor — never mind the livelihood of 1000 of our friends and neighbors,” said Raimondo.