"One of the first examples used in collaborative-bargaining training is that of two parties arguing over who gets to use a bag of oranges. Upon examination, it turns out that one party wanted the juice to make orange juice and the other wanted the rinds to make orange zest, so it was possible to meet both needs. Such a situation may exist between Rhode Island, its taxpayers, Twin River, the Narragansett Tribe, and the state pension system.

A few years ago, I put forward an idea on how to use the state’s interest in its gambling facilities to help address the state’s unfunded pension liability. Circumstances have made both the need and the opportunity greater, and I have modified my original concept accordingly. New ideas often get attacked, especially in our state, but it is still best to generate options for discussion instead of doing nothing.

A number of factors are important to consider. Rhode Island expects to get about $270 million this year from a 61 percent revenue stream from Twin River. That facility is attempting to emerge from bankruptcy. Proposals to put a referendum to allow table games at Twin River are currently before the legislature. Massachusetts is considering expanding gambling, which could hurt Rhode Island’s return from Twin River. The Narragansett Tribe has a continuing interest in this question and may be given gaming rights through federal legislation."

Get the Story:
Robert A. Walsh Jr.: Using casino fix R.I. pension fiasco (The Providence Journal 6/8)

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Rhode Island study looks at potential Narragansett casino (6/7)
Rhode Island proposal requests study on IGRA casino option (6/2)