Mattiello wants to change PawSox stadium deal

May 29, 2018 11:49 pm

By John Krinjak

Email: jkrinjak@abc6.com

Twitter: @johnkrinjakABC6

PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WLNE) — The plan to build a stadium for the PawSox in Pawtucket is gaining momentum in the State House.

A change of heart for House Speaker Nick Mattiello when it comes to the $83 million PawSox stadium proposal.

"There was a time when I thought the deal was not going to be able to go forward," said Mattiello.

Now he says he’s on board–provided the house fixes what he sees as a liability for Rhode Islanders in the Senate’s plan.

"Under the old proposal, the state of Rhode Island guaranteed the entire deal-the PawSox end of it, the state’s end of it, as well as the city’s end of the deal," said Mattiello. "And I think the Rhode Island taxpayer was very leery of that."

The Speaker wants to create a so-called "restricted receipt" account. It would receive money from sales and income taxes generated by the new ball park.

"The monies will go directly from the Pawsox, directly into a restricted receipt account," said Mattiello. "There’s no liability to the Rhode Island taxpayer under this scenario."

But the team is not exactly endorsing the idea at this point, saying in a statement:

"We are somewhat surprised by this new development… We will study the proposed legislation in detail when we receive it, to assess the viability and appeal of what we believe is a whole new departure."

Leaders of the House Finance Committee, where the house version will be taken up on Thursday, say they’re encouraged there’s now some movement, while defending the speaker’s cautious approach.

"He’s taken a lot of heat for taking his time, and at the end of the day, hopefully that time bears fruit for everybody in the state," said Rep. Kenneth Marshall, vice-chair of the House Finance Committee.

"As long as you keep talking, as long as two sides are still talking, you can probably get a deal done that will suit most people," said Rep. Marvin Abney, chair of the House Finance Committee.

The overall numbers in the House plan would remain the same–with the state putting down $23 million, another $15 million coming from the city of Pawtucket, and $45 million from the PawSox.

A spokesperson for Senate President Dominick Ruggerio says he hasn’t yet seen the proposed amendment and would like to take a look at it before he weighs in.