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JUNE 26, 2000

The Rhode Island House of Representatives on Friday killed the bill that would have placed the casino proposal by the Narragansett Tribe on the November ballot.

Representative Timothy Williamson, the bill's sponsor, invoked a rarely used rule to put the measure before the full House. The House Finance Committee had killed the bill on June 20.

The Friday vote surprised both Williamson, the tribe, and its partner, Boyd Gaming. Matthew Thomas, Narragansett sachem, was upset with the vote, which was expected this week on Tuesday and said he will contact the Attorney General for possible violations of law.

M. Charles Bakst, political columnist for the Providence Journal wrote on June 25 that the House has done the right thing and that Thomas was wrong to imply that racial discrimination was behind their actions and those of Governor Almond.

Get the Story:
House kills bill to put casino on November ballot (The Providence Journal 6/24)
Casino rejection: The right side wins and losers grouse (M. Charles Bakst. The Providence Journal 6/25)

Indianz.Com Narragansett Casino Coverage:
Supporters dream of casino (Money Matters 6/22)
Narragansett casino dealt setback (Money Matters 6/21)
Narragansett offer does not impress (Money Matters 6/15)
Narragansett Chief: Let public speak (The Talking Circle 6/14)
Tribe offers more to state (Money Matters 06/13)
Tribe to up ante (Money Matters 06/07)
Narragansett face opponents (Money Matters 05/23)
Vote wanted on Narragansett casino (Money Matters 05/22)
Narragansett could lose out on casino (Money Matters 05/19)
EDITORIAL: No to casinos in Rhode Island (Money Matters 05/15)
Narragansetts hope for casino (Money Matters 05/08)
Legislature questions Narragansett casino (Money Matters 04/12)
Narragansett Tribe faces difficult battle (Money Matters 04/07)