Raimondo and Mattiello Differ on Whether New PawSox Legislation Puts RI Taxpayers on the Hook

GoLocalProv Political Team

Raimondo and Mattiello Differ on Whether New PawSox Legislation Puts RI Taxpayers on the Hook

Governor Raimondo says taxpayers on the hook for Mattiello's PawSox legislation.
Governor Gina Raimondo said in a radio interview on Friday that despite claims by Speaker of the House Nick Mattiello that his new PawSox legislation removes the Rhode Island taxpayer as the financial backstop, Rhode Island taxpayers will ultimately be responsible if the bonds are at risk of default. "At the end of the day it is the state (that is on the hook for the financial risk associated with the PawSox stadium) ... you have to acknowledge that," said Raimondo.

Raimondo made the comments on Gene Valicenti's radio show on WPRO. 

Mattiello has repeatedly claimed that his newly released legislation will cost more -- potentially as much as $25 million more, but in an email to GoLocal defended the new structure.

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“The new proposal is an attempt to address the concerns expressed by many people who don’t want their taxpayer dollars to be at risk. Now that we’ve held a public hearing, I look forward to further feedback from the public.  What I’ve heard so far has been positive because the new plan does not put any taxpayers’ dollars at risk. These are special revenue bonds that are only payable through revenues from the project,”  said Mattiello.

The new legislation is becoming a political football.

“The Governor, who has accepted thousands of dollars from three of the current PawSox owners, is admitting she's putting your tax dollars on the line to support her donors' private venture," said Mayor Allan Fung, a GOP candidate.

In addition, Mattiello's rival Steve Frias attended last night's House Finance committee hearing on Mattiello's legislation and criticized the proposal. Mattiello only defeated Frias by less than 100 votes in 2016.


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