March 25, 200422 yr from sun-sentinel Gov. Bush says he'll back money for Marlins stadium By BRENT KALLESTAD Associated Press Posted March 25 2004, 4:40 PM EST TALLAHASSEE -- Gov. Jeb Bush said Thursday that he'd be open to helping the defending World Series champion Florida Marlins fund a new baseball stadium, although he shot down a similar effort three years ago. But Senate President Jim King said he won't back any proposals offered during this year's legislative session to direct state dollars for a new ballpark. Bush met with Marlins owner Jeffrey Loria and other team officials Wednesday, and told the team delegation that he'd try to help keep $60 million of the sales taxes generated by the ballpark _ $2 million annually over a 30-year span. ``I told them that I would support the inclusion,'' Bush said. He noted that Loria did not get the benefit of the $2 million annual break former Marlins owner Wayne Huizenga received when he renovated the team's current home park, Pro Player Stadium _ a facility Huizenga owns. ``The idea may be good,'' King said. ``It's not timely. There isn't even a bill yet.'' The Marlins are seeking a 38,000-seat ballpark with a retractable roof, which carries an estimated minimum price tag of $325 million. The team has played at Pro Player Stadium since 1993 and wants a new ballpark built by 2007. Bush scuttled a previous proposal by the Marlins to use cruise taxes to help finance a new ballpark, saying it would have required too much money from the state. The Marlins are also asking to borrow a rebate slated for the NBA's Orlando Magic. The team hasn't begun work on a new arena yet and the theory would be the state would then grant the Magic its rebate later. Marlins officials were not immediately available to comment Thursday. ``It needs to be fleshed out,'' King said. ``I would not feel comfortable ... if Wayne Huizenga was going to be paid more millions of dollars for a baseball team he no longer owns or has any interest in while the same basic baseball team was petitioning for another $60 million presumably for the same purpose.'' The state has forgiven more than $85 million in sales tax to more than a dozen stadiums since 1993 to attract or keep professional teams in Florida. ``You have to balance it against the fact, what if you lose the Marlins?'' King asked. ``Are the Marlins worth double-dipping?''
March 25, 200422 yr Sounds like good news. Cape, how does this impact the financial equation? :notworthy
March 25, 200422 yr Even though I am not a big fan of Jeb (damn FCAT), it is very good to know he's backing us up here. He just scored some brownie points.....
March 25, 200422 yr Author Even though I am not a big fan of Jeb (damn FCAT), it is very good to know he's backing us up here. He just scored some brownie points..... I love FCAT. Now HW and it makes me feel good about myself. :cool
March 25, 200422 yr Even though I am not a big fan of Jeb (damn FCAT), it is very good to know he's backing us up here. He just scored some brownie points..... agreed
March 25, 200422 yr Mr. King wants to take away Wayne's tax break to give it to the Marlins his ideal situation, but I think the governor would get him to double-dip if it proved to be worth it (which it is).
March 25, 200422 yr Mr. King wants to take away Wayne's tax break to give it to the Marlins his ideal situation, but I think the governor would get him to double-dip if it proved to be worth it (which it is). That is the ideal situation. Because clearly, H-bomb used the Marlins. I dont understand why the language wasnt tied to the Marlins franchise excepting if they moved from Florida. If H-bomb isnt forced into giving up the money - which he has no entitlement to - then a double dip is necessary.
March 25, 200422 yr The only reason Jebbie is supporting the stadium issue, although I didn't read any hard, fast evidence, is because it's getting close to election time and they smell some sway voters going in the wrong direction after they have recovered from Marlins Fever. I don't trust Jeb at all. He says one thing and then does a complete 180..... Jeb is supporting this because it uses existing laws and tax money to fund the ballpark instead of levying a cruise ship tax. Blame your democrat Mickey Arison. This proposal allows the Marlins to keep $2 million annually of sales tax from the ballpark for 30 years to help pay for it.
March 25, 200422 yr Even though I am not a big fan of Jeb (damn FCAT), it is very good to know he's backing us up here. He just scored some brownie points..... whats wrong with the FCAT? it keeps children who arent at their level from advancing further without knowing the proper criteria. and plus the FCAT is so dogone easy. anyone who fails should be ashamed of themselves
March 25, 200422 yr Even though I am not a big fan of Jeb (damn FCAT), it is very good to know he's backing us up here. He just scored some brownie points..... whats wrong with the FCAT? it keeps children who arent at their level from advancing further without knowing the proper criteria. and plus the FCAT is so dogone easy. anyone who fails should be ashamed of themselves exactly...i mean they give dictionaries to children who have just arrived and must take the test.
March 25, 200422 yr LOL!! I am an education major. The FCAT is a daily topic of conversation in class. But this is the Marlins forum. Maybe I'll post my views on the Politics forum.
March 25, 200422 yr Even though I am not a big fan of Jeb (damn FCAT), it is very good to know he's backing us up here. He just scored some brownie points..... whats wrong with the FCAT? it keeps children who arent at their level from advancing further without knowing the proper criteria. and plus the FCAT is so dogone easy. anyone who fails should be ashamed of themselves exactly...i mean they give dictionaries to children who have just arrived and must take the test. I agree!! HSCT was a joke and is not like Fcat is that much harder.
March 25, 200422 yr Soooo....back to stadium talk! Yea, I am glad that Jeb is supporting us. Finally some progress!
March 25, 200422 yr Jeb has supported us, today he made it known to the legislature officially after meeting with the Malrins officially.
March 25, 200422 yr i have a great feeling something will get done. now that the GOVERNOR has spoken.
March 25, 200422 yr Y'all might want to reread the article. What King is saying is nothing is going to be done this year and Jeb, knowing this, glad-handed the deal big time. For Bush (who I like) this was a no-brainer. As usual the PPS guys are right in the middle this and you can bet their lobbying efforts in Tallahassee dwarf anything the Marlins can mount. Keep in mind for this to work the PPS guys have to willing to be give up almost $35 million over the 17 years (based on 2007) whether the Marlins are there or not. I don't know about you guys but if it were me I'd be fighting like h*ll to keep what I see as mine and you can be sure the PPS guys are not going down without a mega fight. Think steel cage match. Losing this money AND all the Marlins sky and club seat revenue, not to mention all that free cash from parking and concessions, would devastate the PPS guy's balance sheet. You might even see the Dolphins up for sale, a longshot to be sure, but a possibility nonetheless. Now maybe the Marlins can pull a rabbit out of their hat and pull off this Orlando Magic thing. Let's hope so because otherwise they are sh*t outta luck.
March 25, 200422 yr OK. What needs to happen next? We got a lot of confusing info with that article. Is state monies supposed to come from existing laws or does the legislature have to get involved in the matter? What's the deal with the Magic arena? Was that thing approved but no construction has yet started?
March 25, 200422 yr The article is pretty straightforward. The president of the senate is saying its too late for someone to markup a bill for introduction although he is not saying the rules committee won't allow it. So far no one has. You'd expect if anyone is going to do it, it would be the head of the Miami-Dade delegation. Since it may be too late to go the regular legislative route - writing up a bill, introducing it, having it reviewed by the rules committee, being voted on to send it to conference and utimately out for a vote by both houses - the Marlins are trying to take advantage of a credit that has already passed, for the Orlando Magic who are having trouble with their plans with a new stadium. In this case a motion would be introduced to both houses to change the name on already passed bill from the Magic to the Marlins. The good news for the Marlins and the legislators is that since this money has already been earmarked it's already in the budget so they don;t have to be accused of giving $2 million to the Marlins at the expense of schoolchildren or elderly health insurance. Apparently the Marlins already have the tacit approval of the Magic to do this. It's all very fascinating.
March 25, 200422 yr The article is pretty straightforward. The president of the senate is saying its too late for someone to markup a bill for introduction although he is not saying the rules committee won't allow it. So far no one has. You'd expect if anyone is going to do it, it would be the head of the Miami-Dade delegation. Since it may be too late to go the regular legislative route - writing up a bill, introducing it, having it reviewed by the rules committee, being voted on to send it to conference and utimately out for a vote by both houses - the Marlins are trying to take advantage of a credit that has already passed, for the Orlando Magic who are having trouble with their plans with a new stadium. In this case a motion would be introduced to both houses to change the name on already passed bill from the Magic to the Marlins. The good news for the Marlins and the legislators is that since this money has already been earmarked it's already in the budget so they don;t have to be accused of giving $2 million to the Marlins at the expense of schoolchildren or elderly health insurance. Apparently the Marlins already have the tacit approval of the Magic to do this. It's all very fascinating. That is interesting. When I read that, I wondered what the Magic thought of all this. If they are on board with it, I don't see what the problem would be, but maybe that's over simplifying it.
March 26, 200422 yr Since it may be too late to go the regular legislative route - writing up a bill, introducing it, having it reviewed by the rules committee, being voted on to send it to conference and utimately out for a vote by both houses - the Marlins are trying to take advantage of a credit that has already passed, for the Orlando Magic who are having trouble with their plans with a new stadium. In this case a motion would be introduced to both houses to change the name on already passed bill from the Magic to the Marlins. The good news for the Marlins and the legislators is that since this money has already been earmarked it's already in the budget so they don;t have to be accused of giving $2 million to the Marlins at the expense of schoolchildren or elderly health insurance. Apparently the Marlins already have the tacit approval of the Magic to do this. It's all very fascinating. Could the Marlins come back and ask for the sales tax rebate during the next session or would that be considered (in the case of attaining the Magic-arena credit) double dipping, a la H-Bomb/PPS?
March 26, 200422 yr The Marlins couldn't make the next session in time. The Magic have approved this and they are backing the change. This is the standard state tax rebatew, all we need is an amendment changing it from the Devoe family to Mr. Loria.
March 26, 200422 yr The Marlins couldn't make the next session in time. The Magic have approved this and they are backing the change. This is the standard state tax rebatew, all we need is an amendment changing it from the Devoe family to Mr. Loria. They can't make THIS session in time. The big thing is this is an election year, the next session will be after elections. Do I have to say more? Someone has to figure out how to take the PPS guys out with some money and some dignity. My guess is he keeps the tax rebate through 2006 and the county assumes some of his bond indenture via some financial chancery.
March 26, 200422 yr The Marlins couldn't make the next session in time. The Magic have approved this and they are backing the change. This is the standard state tax rebatew, all we need is an amendment changing it from the Devoe family to Mr. Loria. How about no...
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