March 1, 200521 yr So, he's fine with giving other states' teams our tax money to build / fix their ST facilities, but he's still undecided on whether or not to help keep OUR STATE'S first Major League franchise in Florida. The irony kills me. :plain Keeping spring-training baseball in Florida priority for governor By Sarah Talalay Staff Writer Posted March 1 2005 MIAMI -- With an extra $4 billion in this year's state budget, Gov. Jeb Bush said Monday this might be the time to help sports franchises, particularly Major League Baseball teams looking to upgrade or build new spring training venues around the state. Bush said he's concerned about Arizona's interest in luring baseball teams away from Florida. "I'm concerned about whether funding of sports franchises should be in front of the line, when we have these other important needs ... Medicaid being clearly one, public education, our university system, all of those issues to me are more important," Bush said. "In a year of abundance, though, this may be the year to provide some support. We'll see." It is estimated that Florida's treasury will be brimming with about $4.5 billion in extra money in the new budget year, mostly due the state's strong real estate market and a boom in sales tax collections as a result of the post-hurricane rebuilding effort. Last week, Arizona Gov. Janet Napolitano formed a Baseball and Softball Commission with expanding spring training as one of its objectives. Commission Chairman Slade Mead said the commission will hold its first meeting later this month, and no teams have been approached. "We may find no one's interested in coming to Arizona," Mead said. "Then nothing ventured, nothing gained." Among teams that could move are the Baltimore Orioles, who train at Fort Lauderdale Stadium, but do not have a long-term lease. The Cincinnati Reds, who train in Sarasota, are also seeking a new stadium, and the Cleveland Indians need to move from their spring home in Winter Haven. Fort Lauderdale is seeking state funding to upgrade or build a new complex for the Orioles and David Cardwell, executive director of the Grapefruit League Association, said decisions are still being made about pursuing additional funding. "I think it shows the governor's got an open mind on it," Cardwell said. Bush also said he is keeping an open mind about a $60 million state sales tax rebate to help close a gap in a $420 million financing plan for a new stadium for the Marlins. Tallahassee Bureau Chief Linda Kleindienst contributed to this report. Sun-Sentinel.com
March 1, 200521 yr "I'm concerned about whether funding of sports franchises should be in front of the line, when we have these other important needs ... Medicaid being clearly one, public education, our university system, all of those issues to me are more important," Bush said. "In a year of abundance, though, this may be the year to provide some support. We'll see." sounds to me that he's just as wishy-washy about this as he is with the marlins' stadium. that's politicians for ya.
March 1, 200521 yr Author "I'm concerned about whether funding of sports franchises should be in front of the line, when we have these other important needs ... Medicaid being clearly one, public education, our university system, all of those issues to me are more important," Bush said. "In a year of abundance, though, this may be the year to provide some support. We'll see." sounds to me that he's just as wishy-washy about this as he is with the marlins' stadium. that's politicians for ya. 698273[/snapback] He forgot "world peace". [/Miss Congeniality]
March 1, 200521 yr $4 billion on spring training stadiums, is that possible? What happened to the $30 million the marlins needed to build a new stadium? The politics down here are horrible.
March 1, 200521 yr $4 billion on spring training stadiums, is that possible? What happened to the $30 million the marlins needed to build a new stadium? The politics down here are horrible. 698291[/snapback] "With an extra $4 billion in this year's state budget" does not mean the entire amount will be spent on spring training stadiums. Reading is fundamental.
March 2, 200521 yr It all sounds more positive for funding the Marlins new ballpark than I would have expected. This is looking pretty good right now.
March 7, 200521 yr Actually Jeb has been pretty firm in his support of the marlins stadium since the beginning, he just doesnt want to commit political suicide in the process. Which is why he rejected that tax on the cruise industry a few years back
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