RI State Report: EDC Overhaul + Twin River Table Games

Saturday, June 15, 2013

Anthony Faccenda, GoLocalProv News Contributor

 

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This week's State Report centers on four newly passed measures that tackle a wide array of topics including the overhaul of the EDC; table gaming at Twin River; elder abuse; and animal cruelty. Lastly, we'll look at a new BBC Travel list, which lauds Providence as one of the most underrated hot spots in the world.

Senate passes EDC overhaul bill

The Senate has passed a bill overhauling the Rhode Island Economic Development Corporation.

“As one of the major pieces of the Senate’s ‘Moving the Needle’ initiative to address the state’s economic competitiveness, this legislation makes statutory changes to increase transparency and promote a more customer-centric agency,” said Sen. James C. Sheehan, sponsor of the legislation. “Enactment of this legislation will reform the EDC into the kind of agency it is meant to be one that focuses on improving our state’s business climate and that meets our state’s goal of increased planning and performance in job creation, innovation, entrepreneurship and global business.”

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The measure—which passed Tuesday evening—looks to increase transparency and responsibility within the agency and requires the corporation to maintain a clear mission statement with goals. In order to ensure that the group upholds its vision, the legislation specifies that the Chair of the Governor’s Workforce Board is added to the Commerce Corporation.

As for loan guarantees, the corporation will be subject to an audit every three years and required to submit an annual report to the House and Senate Finance Committees.

The agency first came under scrutiny last year after the 38 Studios debacle, which left Rhode Island on the hook for a $75 million loan guarantee.

The legislation will now go to the House for consideration.

Senate approves anti-cheating law for Twin River table games

With table games set to open at Twin River next week, the Senate approved legislation on Wednesday establishing criminal laws against cheating at casino games and creating a gaming enforcement division with the State Police.

“The expansion of Twin River into table games is new ground for Rhode Island, and we need laws that apply to the potential for abuse of this new type of gaming. This bill protects the citizens and the revenue that they expect from the expansion they approved,” said Senate Majority Whip Maryellen Goodwin, the bill's sponsor.

The legislation makes cheating at casino games a felony and institutes penalties of up to 10 years in prison and fines of $100,000 for any patron or employee found guilty. It defines cheating as rigging machinery or computers, taking advantage of a malfunction, tampering with cards or dice, or by other means.

The measure also creates the Gaming Enforcement Unit within the State Police, a unit with the authority to enter an inspect the casino at any time; to inspect its records and operations; to eject anyone violating laws; and enforce new laws pertaining to table gaming.

Table games are set to open to the public at Twin River on June 19.

Senate approves elder abuse reporting bill

On Wednesday, the Senate passed legislation requiring health care providers to alert law enforcement if they believe an elderly person is the victim of abuse or neglect.

“Elderly people who have to rely on others for their care deserve special protection under the law,” said Sen. Catherine Cool Rumsey, the bill’s sponsor. “Unfortunately, there are people out there who take advantage of those elderly who may not be able, or may be embarrassed, to report abuse. Those victims will remain silent, but their health care provider shouldn’t have to. They should not only be allowed to call the police, they should be required to do so for the sake of their patient. This legislation will make both those changes to provide elderly victims with the allies they need.”

The bill creates an exception to health care privacy laws to let health care providers deliver protected personal information to law enforcement pertaining to cases of physical, sexual or psychological abuse, neglect or exploitation. Failing to report instances of abuse would result in up to a $1,000 fine.

The bill will now make its way to the House, where House Speaker Pro Tempore Elaine A. Coderre has introduced a companion proposal.

Senate OKs bill expanding definition of animal cruelty

The Senate approved legislation on Wednesday that expands the definition of “cruelty to animals” and clearly defines what constitutes “adequate living conditions” for animals not used in research or as livestock.

“Animals are living things that deserve fair treatment by their owners,” said Sen. Frank A. Ciccone, who sponsored the bill. “I don’t think the current law is clear enough. There is a question about what ‘adequate living conditions’ really means, and in order to prosecute true violators we must clarify the law in place.”

The measure—which passed the Senate 36 to 0—expands the meaning of “unnecessary cruelty” to someone who “willfully, intentionally, maliciously, recklessly and/or knowingly authorizes or permits that animal to be subjected to unnecessary torture, suffering or cruelty of any kind.”

The bill also defines “adequate living conditions” as a sanitary environment that is dry and free of feces, debris and garbage that may clutter the environment and pose a threat to the animal. The living space must be a sufficient size, which does not inhibit the normal posture or range of movement of the animal.

A companion House bill sponsored by Rep. John J. DeSimone passed the House last week.

BBC names Providence one of the top ‘under-the-radar’ spots in the world

Rhode Island’s capital city, Providence, has been named one of the world’s top 21 “under-the-radar” destinations, according to BBC Travel.

"It brings me great pleasure that our capital city has been deservedly recognized as one of the world's outstanding destinations," said Gov. Lincoln D. Chafee. "The wider world is clearly realizing what we have long known: that Providence and Rhode Island have so much to offer both visitors and residents alike. We look forward to continuing to welcome new friends from across the country and around the globe to come enjoy our famed restaurants, vibrant creative sector, rich history, and renowned natural beauty."

The travel publication commended Providence for its impressive universities, historic buildings and neighborhoods, celebrated restaurants, and numerous cultural offerings.

Not surprisingly, the BBC singles out Providence’s WaterFire as a primary reason for tourists to visit the city. “Try to time your visit for one of the 10 or so weekends a year, between May and October, when 100 flaming braziers light up the city’s waterways during WaterFire,” said the BBC.

Click here to see all 21 destinations.

 

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