Should the R.I. House put the Pawtucket Red Sox deal passed by the state Senate up for a vote?

PBN Staff

03/04/2018

WHILE THE R.I. SENATE has passed legislation that creates the financing framework for a new stadium for the Pawtucket Red Sox, the House has yet to give an indication that it will vote on the deal to build the Ballpark at Slater Mill complex.

Another week, another PawSox controversy. Build Rhode Island, a labor/management support organization in the construction trades, commissioned and then released a poll gauging public reaction to the financing plan for building the replacement of McCoy Stadium in Pawtucket. Based on the poll results, public opinion if guardedly supportive of the concept, but it does not seem to be a mandate to move forward with it.

The issue is of importance is that without the deal, the Pawtucket Red Sox are likely to leave Rhode Island. Just as important, though, is the conflict between the R.I. House and the Senate. House Speaker Nicholas A. Mattiello has been vocal in his opposition to the plan, while Senate President Dominick J. Ruggerio has shepherded an extensive process putting legislation forward that was overwhelmingly passed by the Senate and now waits for action in the House. Should the House give an up-or-down vote on the Senate-passed PawSox bill or should it start the process over again?

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