PROVIDENCE, R.I. -- The House and Senate Wednesday endorsed the proposed $200-million Dynamo House project, issuing separate, non-binding resolutions.
But in a sign of how tense last-minute negotiations have become on the General Assembly's final day, a leading senator publicly questioned whether the project was the wisest investment for the state.
Senate Finance Committee Chairman Daniel DaPonte, D-East Providence, also criticized House Democrats for refusing to pass a more detailed measure the Senate had proposed.
"Anyone who questions whether this is the most cost effective way to boost our economy has every right to. I certainly have my own doubts and reservations," he said. "Some things we've done in this building have come back to bite us and the taxpayer. ... We haven't had a really good sense of what the total costs will be. We've been told the construction costs were projected to be, but not the costs to outfit or operate it."
At issue is how much specificity about the project was included in the resolution.
The Senate's version includes greater detail of the project's proposed scope at this point, as well as the name of the developer and other stakeholders.
The House version has less specificity.