2022 -- S 2824

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LC005613

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     STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY

JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2022

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J O I N T   R E S O L U T I O N

TO AUTHORIZE AND APPROVE A REFERENDUM TO BE SUBMITTED TO THE

QUALIFIED ELECTORS OF THE STATE OF RHODE ISLAND AT THE NEXT GENERAL

ELECTION TO ALLOW THE STATE OF RHODE ISLAND TO ISSUE GENERAL

OBLIGATION BONDS, REFUNDING BONDS, AND/OR TEMPORARY NOTES IN AN

AMOUNT NOT TO EXCEED TWENTY-THREE MILLION FIVE HUNDRED THOUSAND

DOLLARS ($23,500,000) FOR THE NEW CONSTRUCTION OF A STATE-OF-THE-ART

CARBON-NEUTRAL EDUCATION CENTER AND EVENT PAVILION AT ROGER

WILLIAMS PARK ZOO.

     

     Introduced By: Senators Goodwin, and McCaffrey

     Date Introduced: March 24, 2022

     Referred To: Senate Finance

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     WHEREAS, The Roger Williams Park Zoo brings in over 800,000 visitors each year,

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including over 400,000 from out of state, contributing to over $50 million in economic impact for

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Roger Williams Park, the city of Providence and the State of Rhode Island; and

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     WHEREAS, The Roger Williams Park Zoo's educational programs directly touch more

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than 138,000 learners of all ages each year and provide free and reduced entry to ensure that

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students of all backgrounds have access to these camps and programs; and

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     WHEREAS, Unlike many Zoos nationwide that receive dedicated state or local revenues,

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the Roger Williams Park Zoo relies on entry fees and memberships for capital improvements; and

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     WHEREAS, Rhode Island voters approved $15 million for the Zoo as part of the 2014

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"Clean Water, Open Space and Healthy Communities" bond, which the Zoo used promptly to

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build a brand new "Faces of the Rainforest" exhibit. The exhibit brought an estimated 36,657

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additional visitors to the Zoo in the first year and demonstrated a positive return on investment by

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contributing $15.65 million in direct value to the local and state economy; and

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     WHEREAS, These projects will help the Zoo meet the technology demands of the

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modern-day classrooms, increase student capacity to expand its education programs to Rhode

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Island schools and provide a large venue with seating capacity for lectures, assemblies, and

 

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artistic performances. Both projects will improve access and further contribute to the Zoo's

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positive economic impacts on Roger Williams Park, the city of Providence and all of Rhode

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Island; now, therefore be it

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     RESOLVED, There shall be submitted to the qualified electors of the State of Rhode

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Island at the next general election for their approval the following referendum question:

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     "Shall the action of the general assembly, by an act passed at the 2022 legislative session,

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authorizing the issuance of bonds, refunding bonds, and temporary notes of the State of Rhode

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Island for the capital project and in the amount with respect to the project listed below be

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approved, and the issuance of bonds, refunding bonds, and temporary notes authorized in

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accordance with the provisions of said act?"

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     Approval of this question will allow the State of Rhode Island to issue general obligation

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bonds, refunding bonds, and/or temporary notes in an amount not to exceed twenty-three million

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five hundred thousand dollars ($23,500,000) for the new construction of a state-of-the-art carbon-

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neutral education center and event pavilion at Roger Williams Park Zoo; and be it further

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     RESOLVED, That the said proposition of amendment shall be submitted to the electors

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for their approval or rejection at the next statewide general election. The voting places in the

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several cities and towns shall be kept open during the hours required by law for voting therein for

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general officers of the state; and be it further

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     RESOLVED, That the Secretary of State shall cause the said proposition of amendment

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to be published as a part of this resolution in the newspapers of the state prior to the date of the

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said meetings of the said electors; and the said proposition shall be inserted in the warrants or

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notices to be issued previous to said meetings of the electors for the purpose of warning the town,

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ward, or district meetings, and said proposition shall be read by the town, city, ward, or district

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meetings to be held as aforesaid; and be it further

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     RESOLVED, That the town, city, ward, and district meetings to be held as aforesaid shall

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be warned, and the list of voters shall be canvassed and made up, and the said town, ward, and

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district meetings shall be conducted in the same manner as now provided by law for the town,

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city, ward, and district meetings for the election of general officers of the state.

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LC005613

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LC005613 - Page 2 of 3

EXPLANATION

BY THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL

OF

J O I N T   R E S O L U T I O N

TO AUTHORIZE AND APPROVE A REFERENDUM TO BE SUBMITTED TO THE

QUALIFIED ELECTORS OF THE STATE OF RHODE ISLAND AT THE NEXT GENERAL

ELECTION TO ALLOW THE STATE OF RHODE ISLAND TO ISSUE GENERAL

OBLIGATION BONDS, REFUNDING BONDS, AND/OR TEMPORARY NOTES IN AN

AMOUNT NOT TO EXCEED TWENTY-THREE MILLION FIVE HUNDRED THOUSAND

DOLLARS ($23,500,000) FOR THE NEW CONSTRUCTION OF A STATE-OF-THE-ART

CARBON-NEUTRAL EDUCATION CENTER AND EVENT PAVILION AT ROGER

WILLIAMS PARK ZOO.

***

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     This resolution would allow the State of Rhode Island to issue general obligation bonds,

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refunding bonds, and/or temporary notes in an amount not to exceed twenty-three million five

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hundred thousand dollars ($23,500,000) for the new construction of a state-of-the-art carbon-

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neutral education center and event pavilion at Roger Williams Park Zoo.

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LC005613

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LC005613 - Page 3 of 3