House speaker questions budget's reliance on sports betting

January 19, 2018 10:30 AM

Rhode Island House Speaker Nicholas Mattiello says he's concerned that the governor's budget proposal relies on revenue from sports betting since the U.S. Supreme Court hasn't legalized it yet.

The Democratic Mattiello told WPRI-TV Thursday that while he received only a brief budget briefing, an alternative should've been included in case the law doesn't change.

Democratic Gov. Gina Raimondo released a nearly $9.4 billion state budget plan on Thursday that cuts Medicaid programs and generates new revenue through sports betting and increasing access to medical marijuana.

The administration is counting on $23.5 million in sports betting revenue if it can start on Oct. 1 at the state's casinos.

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House Minority Leader Patricia Morgan says the state needs to be more responsible with its budgeting. The Republican leader is running for governor.