By Randal Edgar
PROVIDENCE, R.I. -- The General Assembly is teaming up with the Twin River and Newport Grand slot parlors to provide $100,000 for the state's problem-gambling program.
The program received $67,332 in state dollars last year but was cut from the budget for the fiscal year that began July 1, as part of an effort to reduce the cost of the state's community-service grants, according to a joint news release.
However, House Speaker Gordon Fox says in the release that it was "never our intention to see that program suffer in any way."
As a result, the Assembly now plans to provide $50,000 through its legislative-grant program, while Twin River and Newport Grand will provide another $50,000, according to the news release.