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House Speaker: PawSox Rhode Island stadium deal is ‘dead’

Pawtucket, R.I.-04/28/2017- Larry Lucchino is trying to find a new home for the Pawtucket Red Sox, as millions of dollars has to be spent to improve the old McCoy Stadium where they currently play. John Tlumacki/Globe Staff (business) John Tlumacki / The Boston Globe, File

PROVIDENCE, R.I. (AP) — The speaker of the Rhode Island House says the deal to provide public funding for a new stadium for the Pawtucket Red Sox is “dead.”

House Speaker Nicholas Mattiello tells WPRI-TV that the financing plan approved by the Senate last week will not make it through the House in its current form.

Under the Senate plan, the state would pay for $23 million of the $83 million stadium the Boston Red Sox Triple-A affiliate says it needs to replace its current aging facility.

Mattiello says two-thirds of Rhode Islanders do not support the bill and therefore the House will not support it.

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He says the bill contains too many risks to taxpayers.

Worcester, Massachusetts has been courting the team even as it negotiates with Rhode Island officials.

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Information from: WPRI-TV, http://www.wpri.com