Of the many economic downsides to the Sakonnet Bridge Toll, one of the starkest is the effect of tolls on Newport Grand. The State of RI derives millions of dollars in revenue from Newport Grand, much of it from patrons who travel across this bridge to get there. While no one can predict the exact hit Newport Grand will take, it's common sense to expect that potential patrons will be less likely to make the trip if they have to pay a toll (about $8 without an EZ-pass).
Potential Newport Grand customers to the south already have to pay tolls to cross the Newport Bridge to get there, leading many to instead visit the Connecticut casinos.With a new casino proposed for Fall River (link to story below), how many patrons from north of Aquidneck Island will pay a toll to travel to Newport when they can visit Fall River's casino without one?
From a simple economic standpoint, does it make any sense for State lawmakers to impose a toll that not only will hurt East Bay businesses and residents, but will contribute to the loss of millions in State revenue? Tolls on the Sakonnet Bridge are not only unfair and destructive to the East Bay, but are about as short-sighted and self-destructive an action as State government could implement, costing the State more than tolls could ever bring in. Any legislator supporting tolls should be prepared to explain how the State will replace the revenue lost from Newport Grand, not to mention lost tax revenue from East Bay businesses.
http://www.heraldnews.com/article/20140313/NEWS/140317825/?tag=3
Brian Medeiros
Tiverton, RI
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