Sen. Crowley in support PawSox stadium proposal before last scheduled Finance Committee meeting
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STATE HOUSE ??? Sen. Elizabeth A. Crowley (D-Dist. 16, Central Falls, Pawtucket) is voicing her strong support for the Pawtucket Red Sox???s proposal to build a new stadium in Pawtucket before the last scheduled Senate Finance Committee meeting on the package of legislation 2017-S 989 & 2017-S 990 takes place on Tuesday, October 24 at the State House.
???The City of Pawtucket is facing a crucial moment in its long history, and it is imperative and crucial that we support Pawtucket so that the recent economic momentum the city has experienced does not come to an abrupt stop. With the recently announced closing of Memorial Hospital and the very real possibility of the PawSox leaving our great city, a potential slide back to dark economic times is a distinct possibility. It is for this reason that I am fully and strongly supporting the proposal to build a new PawSox stadium at the Apex site,??? said Senator Crowley.
???The economic gains and development that Pawtucket and the entire Blackstone Valley have had recently is a testament to the resilient character of the area. A new, state-of-the-art stadium will not only continue, but will super-charge this growth into the foreseeable future. After listening to hours of testimony regarding this project, I truly believe with my whole heart that this proposal is not only the best deal for taxpayers, it is also crucial for the health and well-being of Pawtucket, and the entire state.???
???The Pawtucket Red Sox is one of Rhode Island???s most cherished institutions, and they have been vital community partners for decades. The amount of charity and good works that the team has injected into our state dwarfs almost any other group in Rhode Island, and we must help them in order for the team to continue its tradition of making Pawtucket and Rhode Island a better place to live.???
???I know Rhode Islanders are frustrated these days. After all, we are living in very frustrating times, but that is why it is so important to keep the PawSox in Pawtucket. Because during these trying times, the affordable and family-friendly presence of the PawSox offers a sanctuary from the daily uncertainty and frustration that so many Rhode Islanders experience. This proposal is nothing at all like the disastrous 38 Studios debacle. That deal was structured around an extremely risky and speculative product that had yet to be developed. The PawSox are a proven business that is already generating for the state the level of revenue that would be needed to pay the bonds. The PawSox proposal is predicated on revenue generating bonds, which will keep the PawSox in Pawtucket without costing our taxpayers one single cent from their wallets. In fact, it is a net revenue positive for our state.???
???With this proposal, we have an opportunity to continue Pawtucket???s economic progress. I urge all to embrace this charge into a better future. The PawSox have helped the state and the city for decades, and now it is up to us to help this storied sports franchise and economic generator. I am in full support of keeping the PawSox in Pawtucket, and that is only possible through building a new home for them at the Apex site,??? concluded Senator Crowley.