More than a matter of jobs

Posted 10/10/19

More than a matter of jobs The halls of the State House were packed Thursday afternoon with an estimated 400 IGT employees who formed a human chain from their headquarters in downtown Providence to the capitol building as the House Finance Committee

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More than a matter of jobs

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The halls of the State House were packed Thursday afternoon with an estimated 400 IGT employees who formed a human chain from their headquarters in downtown Providence to the capitol building as the House Finance Committee heard testimony on Gov. Gina Raimondo’s proposal to award IGT a 20-year no bid extension on their Lottery contract. One of the IGT employees, Debra Gold (seen at the State House bell room where people could watch committee proceedings) has lived in Rhode Island for 20 years and worked for IBM and Bose. An East Greenwich resident, she is the director of global talent development for IGT and finds the company like no other. IGT gave its employees time off to be at the State House and testify should they choose. Coordinating the company’s presentation was chairperson of IGT Global Solutions Corp. Robert Vincent (seen here testifying with Rachel Barber, senior vice president and chief technology officer). Vincent reiterated IGT’s pledge to maintain 1,100 Rhode Island jobs and emphasized what those jobs mean to the state’s economy. Barber said IGT offers the best people and products to run the Lottery. It was estimated that between state income tax, sales taxes and property taxes, IGT employees generate $25 million annually in state and municipal tax revenues. Casino operator Twin River and its partners are vying for the Lottery contract and their argument that the contract should go out for bid resonates with Warwick Rep. Camille Vella-Wilkinson, as pictured, at Thursday’s hearing. In an interview Sunday, she said she appreciated hearing from IGT employees and that she has an appreciation of their community involvement and what the company means to the state. “I don’t want to see those jobs go [should IGT not get the contract],” she said. Yet, she added, she has questions about the IGT proposal. She asks why a 20-year contract; would that contract bind future legislators to another 20-year extension and perhaps most perplexing, why if the IGT deal is so good shouldn’t the state put the contract out for bid and see if that’s true? The Senate Finance Committee is scheduled to hear IGT and Twin River presentations Oct. 22. (Text and photos by John Howell)

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  • Justanidiot

    ifs yer company sew grate, prove it two us. show us why youse is better than your competetors. it is like when eye went for my last job interview, eye was the bestest for the job, but some youngin took it out from under me cause he could spill and use anglish. go figger

    Thursday, October 10, 2019 Report this