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September 25, 2006

Study for building council finds plus side to casino

A study looking at the economic impact of the proposed West Warwick casino estimates that during the first six years of operation it would provide the state $681.2 million for property tax relief.

The report by Clyde W. Barrow of the Center for Policy Analysis at the University of Massachusetts-Dartmouth said the casino would provide enough money to give each Rhode Island taxpayer $318 by the fifth year.

Barrow was paid $20,000 to produce the study for the Rhode Island Building & Construction Trades Council, a group representing construction unions that have long backed the proposed casino.

The report conflicts with another released today, by casino opponents, estimating that Rhode Island could lose $1.1 billion over 11 years if a proposed West Warwick casino becomes reality.

The casino would generate new tax revenue, but not enough to offset the state’s losses from its two existing gambling parlors, Lincoln Park and Newport Grand, according to the Rhode Island Public Expenditure Council and its report.

-- Journal staff writers Scott Mayerowitz and Andrea L. Stape, with reports from The Associated Press

Posted by Kate Bramson  at 6:09 PM | Permalink

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