PROVIDENCE, R.I. (AP) – Legislation long proposed by Rhode Island Republicans to ban the use of public cash assistance on alcohol, lottery tickets and casino gambling is now moving forward under a Democratic banner.
Rep. Arthur Corvese, a North Providence Democrat, is proposing to prohibit welfare recipients from using electronic benefit cards at liquor stores, casinos and adult entertainment facilities.
His bill would also make it a crime for liquor store owners and other affected businesses to accept the cards.
The House Judiciary Committee on Wednesday recommended its passage.
Rep. Patricia Morgan, a West Warwick Republican, says the legislation is a slight alteration of a bill she’s proposed for years.
She called it partisan antics for the state’s dominant Democrats to take credit but she says she will likely support it.
Copyright 2016 The Associated Press.
