Bryant Hires Renowned Lobbyist as Smithfield Pressures for New PILOT Deal

Legislation introduced by Smithfield's General Assembly reps will leverage higher payments in lieu of taxes (PILOT) from Bryant University if successful, while the institution has added a top lobbyist to its payroll.

Robert Goldberg is on the university's payroll, according to the RI Secretary of State's office, at the estimated tune of $3,000 per month. Goldberg's hire comes in response to sister bills in the House and Senate seeking to tax Bryant at its full assessment if it does not negotiate a new PILOT deal with Smithfield, according to a report from the Valley Breeze.

At the moment, said Council President Alberto J. LaGreca, the state provides the town about $450,000 annually in lieu of taxes. If the town were to tax the university at its full value, however, tax revenue would be in the millions of dollars. The Smithfield Town Council voted to ask the town's General Assembly delegation to introduce the legislation Feb. 8

Goldberg also works for GTECH, CVS Caremark, Johnson & Wales and FedEx. He was named among the most powerful people in RI in the 2010 RI Monthly article : "28 Most Powerful People- Who really runs this state?" He's also the principal of Goldberg Law Offices. 

Sen. Stephen Archambault's (D-Smithfield, Johnston, N. Prov.) version of the bill has been referred to the Senate Finance Committee.