Massachusetts

City Rejects Agreement With Casino Developers

Officials voted 4-3 Wednesday night to turn down the Municipal Community Agreement

The Newport City Council has rejected an agreement with developers of a proposed casino at Newport Grand that would have provided a $1 million payment that a critic called a bribe.

The Newport Daily News
reports that officials voted 4-3 Wednesday night to turn down the Municipal Community Agreement.

State legislation putting the casino question on the Nov. 4 ballot would allow Newport's share of slot machine revenue to rise from 1.01 percent to 1.45 percent, if the table games resolution is approved.

The agreement would have given preference to Newport residents for hiring and to Newport vendors for purchases of goods and services. Council Vice Chairwoman Naomi Neville called the proposed $1 million payment a bribe.

She said the agreement should not be a factor in the Nov. 4 vote.

Copyright AP - Associated Press
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