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House Passes Stadium Bill!!

fauowls44
fauowls44
in Miami Marlins

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comment_483105

http://www.sun-sentinel.com/news/local/sou...-home-headlines

 

House passes bill to help pay for Marlins stadium in Little Havana

 

By Linda Kleindienst & Mark Hollis

Tallahassee Bureau

Posted April 27 2005

 

BULLETIN: A $60 million state commitment to help build a $420 million retractable roof baseball park in Miami for the Florida Marlins passed the state House in Tallahassee on Wednesday.

 

After almost an hour of debate, the House voted 90-26 on the economic development proposal (HB 173) with the subsidy for the stadium along with millions of dollars for other pro sports projects, including $75 million to assist an effort by Daytona Beach officials to lure a NASCAR Hall of Fame to their area.

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``This bill is actually a reverse Robin Hood,'' complained Rep. Eleanor Sobel, D-Hollywood. ``We're actually robbing the poor to give to the rich.''

 

However, it still must be approved in the Florida Senate and by Gov. Jeb Bush, who has indicated support of the proposals.

 

The big ticket Marlins and NASCAR items resurfaced through some legislative maneuvering Tuesday by speaker-designate Rep. Marco Rubio, R-Miami, who added them to a bill requiring monthly disbursement of some sales tax collections to 11 eligible convention centers around the state.

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    comment_483107

    Judging from the Herald's article today, a number of legislators are uncomfortable about changing the name from the Florida Marlins to the Miami Marlins. Hell, I'm more than happy to keep it the "Florida Marlins" anyway.

     

     

    MARLINS STADIUM

     

     

    Ballpark aid plan revived

     

    Using city and county officials as lobbyists, the Florida Marlins see a bid for a $60 million tax subsidy resurface in the last days of the legislative session.

     

    BY LESLEY CLARK

     

    [email protected]

     

     

    TALLAHASSEE - The Florida Marlins made a lateinning comeback Tuesday as powerful Miami Republicans engineered the revival of a stalled bid for a $60 million tax subsidy to build a new ballpark in downtown Miami.

     

    But hurdles remain: The measures that surfaced on the House floor and in a Senate committee differ, and lawmakers are under a time crunch to reconcile the details with only eight days remaining in the legislative session.

     

    ''We've still got a long way to go, but we're alive,'' said a jubilant Miami-Dade commissioner, Rebeca Sosa, who along with Miami Mayor Manny Diaz spent the day cajoling reluctant legislators and rushing between the two chambers to watch as the moribund measure began to rebound.

     

    Legislation in both chambers had faltered in recent weeks, meeting a formidable roadblock in the House in the form of Rep. Fred Brummer, the Republican chairman of the House Finance and Tax Committee, who refused to hear the issue.

     

    But Miami Republican Rep. Marco Rubio, the House's incoming speaker, took a detour around Brummer on Tuesday, tacking money for the Marlins onto an unrelated bill dealing with sales tax rebates for convention centers.

     

    Critics lashed out at the move to circumvent Brummer, saying House leaders sidestepped the committee ''because they cannot withstand the public scrutiny'' of doling out another tax subsidy to a wealthy professional sports team.

     

    ''These are just things you're putting in the budget so you look good when you go home, when you're running for reelection or higher office,'' said Rep. Susan Bucher, a Palm Beach Democrat, who cited an economic report by the Senate that found that ``publicly financed sports arenas do not generate new revenue.''

     

    Her criticism earned her support from Republican Brummer, as legislators also endorsed a $75 million measure to lure the NASCAR Hall of Fame to Daytona Beach.

     

    ''You must do what's right and oppose roping off sales tax dollars to go to special projects,'' Brummer said.

     

    The objections didn't stop legislators from adding the Marlins language to the bill, along with money for spring training ballparks around the state. The package could be up for a vote before the full House as early as today.

     

    House Speaker Allan Bense, a Panama City Republican, said Rubio and others had asked him about the legislative maneuver. He's not certain he'll back the legislation.

     

    ''I had a lot of members come to me, asking me to get that to the floor,'' Bense said. ``I'm not sure I'm going to vote on it, to be honest with you. But I think that members should have the opportunity to vote on it.''

     

    The measure that has met several deaths in earlier years may face a greater challenge in the Senate, where skeptics abound. In a Senate budget subcommittee, a bill that was narrowly tailored to deal only with the Marlins tax subsidy passed Tuesday, but only by a one-vote margin and with a request from one of the senators to dump plans to change the team's name to the Miami Marlins, as some Miami-Dade county and city officials would like to do.

     

    Miami-Dade County manager George Burgess said abandoning the name change is unlikely to be a deal killer.

     

    ''Yes, we'd like to change the name, but that may be beyond our control,'' Burgess said.

     

    The bill also met with opposition from Sen. Alex Diaz de la Portilla, a Miami Republican who said the site for the new park, next to the Orange Bowl, is in his district.

     

    Miami Mayor Diaz and Burgess told legislators the new stadium would be part of a major economic revitalization package for the city.

     

    Diaz de la Portilla questioned Diaz about parking for the facility and plans to remove neighboring residents from their homes.

     

    ''The Orange Bowl has never delivered,'' Diaz de la Portilla said. ``Years later, all we've got is a couple of seedy, low-end bars and some relatively high rates of crime.''

     

    At one point, Senate Majority Leader Alex Villalobos, a Miami Republican, strolled into the room, signaling that a reluctant Senate President Tom Lee has taken interest in the bill. But Lee, who has questioned state money for sports teams, said Tuesday that the bill still has another committee stop and is not guaranteed to pass.

     

    Villalobos nevertheless took his job as enforcer seriously. As Sen. Skip Campbell, a Broward Democrat walked out of the room, Villalobos jumped up. He returned, with Campbell -- who voted for the measure -- in a headlock.

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    comment_483112

    Good question juanky. I imagine that if it were going straight to vote, the media would report that. But we have really been in the dark on this. Just two days ago we were all under the assumption that Brummer was beating us down. Within two days, we have passed one major house. Amazing.

     

    One thing for sure, we are in uncharted waters. We have never gotten this far.

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    comment_483114

    This is defintely good news. Whats best about it is the margin it passed by. The house's approval is huge, b/c its very hard for the senate to outright shut it down, they may still alter other parts of the bill or what not, but hopefully we'll get the job done.

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    comment_483117

    ``This bill is actually a reverse Robin Hood,'' complained Rep. Eleanor Sobel, D-Hollywood. ``We're actually robbing the poor to give to the rich.''

     

    What the hell is her problem??? And she's from Hollywood no less...a community that is in the Marlins back yard. Ridiculous...

     

    :banghead

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    comment_483119

    ``This bill is actually a reverse Robin Hood,'' complained Rep. Eleanor Sobel, D-Hollywood. ``We're actually robbing the poor to give to the rich.''

     

    What the hell is her problem??? And she's from Hollywood no less...a community that is in the Marlins back yard. Ridiculous...

     

    :banghead

    756224[/snapback]

     

    I also can't stand that in a vote on a bill that passes 90-26, this is the only quote the Sentinel gives in their recap, as if they couldn't contact any of the 90 members who voted in favor of the bill.

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    comment_483120

    ``This bill is actually a reverse Robin Hood,'' complained Rep. Eleanor Sobel, D-Hollywood. ``We're actually robbing the poor to give to the rich.''

     

    What the hell is her problem??? And she's from Hollywood no less...a community that is in the Marlins back yard. Ridiculous...

     

    :banghead

    756224[/snapback]

     

    I also can't stand that in a vote on a bill that passes 90-26, this is the only quote the Sentinel gives in their recap, as if they couldn't contact any of the 90 members who voted in favor of the bill.

    756230[/snapback]

     

    I agree. I mean, it passed overwhelmingly.

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    comment_483121

    Here is a better quote from an article by the AP in the Palm Beach Post.

     

    "If anybody thinks it's going to break the bank, I've got news for you, seven cities did this in 1994 and 1995," said Rep. David Simmons, R-Longwood. "It has resulted in a net sales tax increase for the state."

     

     

     

    http://www.palmbeachpost.com/state/content...s_Ballpark.html

     

    This article does a better job of giving the differing opinions of Legislators who voted for or against the bill.

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    comment_483122

    Very surprising, yet exciting news! It sounds like the biggest obstacle has been overcome, although passing the Senate still may be difficult.

    756228[/snapback]

     

    I feel very confident that this will pass the Senate without any major hurdles.

     

    This is after I heard the Miami delegation on the Radio yesterday. (Mayor Manny Diaz, Miami Commisioners, one of the Miami Reps and one Senator)

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    comment_483123

    WSVN- 7

     

    TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (AP) -- A $60 million state commitment to help build the Florida Marlins a $420 million retractable roof baseball stadium in Miami passed the state House on Wednesday.

     

     

    After almost an hour of debate, the House voted 90-26 on the economic development proposal (HB 173) loaded with millions of dollars for pro sports projects, including the stadium and $75 million to help Daytona Beach officials to lure a NASCAR Hall of Fame.

     

     

    "This bill is actually a reverse Robin Hood," complained Rep. Eleanor Sobel, D-Hollywood. "We're actually robbing the poor to give to the rich."

     

     

    One of the few Republicans who voted against the proposal was troubled with a decision to spend millions on helping wealthy sports franchises while thousands of Floridians were still trying to recover from last year's destructive hurricanes.

     

     

    "I can't stand here and vote for stadiums when I have 30,000 families who can't move back into their homes," said Rep. Holly Benson, R-Pensacola, whose area was clobbered by Hurricane Ivan.

     

     

    The big ticket Marlins and NASCAR items resurfaced through some legislative maneuvering Tuesday by speaker-designate Rep. Marco Rubio, R-Miami, who added them to a bill requiring monthly disbursement of some sales tax collections to 11 eligible convention centers around the state.

     

     

    However, it still must be approved in the Florida Senate, where Senate President Tom Lee says he opposes the subsidy but would let his chamber vote on the measure, and by Gov. Jeb Bush, who has indicated support.

     

     

    The Marlins would become the ninth Florida sports entity qualifying for annual subsidy of $2 million over a 30-year period. The team has been playing in the reconfigured confines of the football stadium used by the NFL's Miami Dolphins, a stadium which was built with private dollars by former owner Joe Robbie.

     

     

    "If anybody thinks it's going to break the bank, I've got news for you, seven cities did this in 1994 and 1995," said Rep. David Simmons, R-Longwood. "It has resulted in a net sales tax increase for the state."

     

     

    The Marlins and NASCAR proposals are quite different.

     

     

    Central Florida lawmakers pitched a NASCAR license plate that they claim will repay the $75 million in time, while the annual $2 million for the Marlins would flow back to the Miami-Dade County and city governments. They would own the ballpark and rent it back to the team for their 81 home games each year.

     

     

    "This is all about what the state of Florida is all about," said Rep. Juan-Carlos Planas, R-Westchester. "We are in the glamour business. We are investing money in our business, the glamour business, to make sure people keep coming here."

     

     

    A Marlins spokeswoman didn't immediately return a phone call seeking comment.

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    comment_483124

    House passes bill to help pay for Marlins stadium in Little Havana

     

    By MARK HOLLIS

    Tallahassee Bureau

    Posted April 27 2005, 12:30 PM EDT

     

    TALLAHASSEE – The Florida Marlins scored a dramatic political victory Wednesday as the Florida House voted overwhelmingly in favor of a $60-million state tax subsidy to build a ballpark in Miami's Little Havana neighborhood.

     

    The baseball stadium proposal cleared the state House on a 90-26 vote, tied to a funding package that would sprinkle millions of state sales tax dollars throughout the state for baseball spring training sites and other sports stadiums and facilities.

     

    The House bill (HB 173) diverts $2 million a year for the Marlins and $2 million a year for four spring training sites, as well as $5 million a year to counties with convention centers. The measure also sets aside $2 million a year for the Orlando Magic and $1.2 million a year for a NASCAR museum in Daytona Beach, although that money would be repaid through the sale of a NASCAR auto license plate.

     

    Among the baseball training sites that would benefit under the bills is Tradition Field in Port St. Lucie, where the Mets hold spring practice games. Over 30 years, the bill would provide $15 million to the baseball spring training sites. And at Tradition Field, that money -- $500,000 a year – would go to repay renovations already made to the park two years ago.

     

    Sponsors of the stadium-funding package clapped hands and cheered when the House voted. But major hurdles remain.

     

    The House bill is significantly different from a Senate package and lawmakers have just over a week to work out differences.

     

    The stadium funding also faces sharp skepticism from Senate President Tom Lee. Earlier this month, a Senate staff economist told lawmakers that new sports stadiums don't usually have the intended effect of spurring economic development. And Lee has said this may not be the best year to increase state subsidies to sports franchises.

     

    City of Miami and Miami-Dade County officials, who watched the House deliberations in the Capitol after spending days lobbying lawmakers to pass the bill, were ecstatic after the vote.

     

    ``It now goes to the Senate very strong,'' said Miami Mayor Manny Diaz. ``Ninety members in favor and very positive debate. It's not like we barely edged a victory.''

     

    Miami-Dade Commissioner Rebeca Sosa said the local lobbying efforts will now be thrust at the 40-member Senate.

     

    ``What we saw here today was bipartisan unity on economic development,'' said Sosa. ``The state is secure in its investment. We hope the Senate will show the same unity and same enthusiasm for economic development.''

     

    Throughout the ongoing two-month legislative session, the Marlins funding package has faced an uncertain fate.

     

    But Miami Republican Rep. Marco Rubio, the House's incoming speaker, maneuvered the bill around one of its biggest obstacles – Rep Fred Brummer, R-Apopka, a House committee chairman who has blocked numerous bills this session. Rubio, however, tacked money for the Marlins and other sports stadiums onto an unrelated bill dealing with sales tax rebates for convention centers.

     

    Critics attacked the maneuver, saying House leaders sidestepped budget committees where the issues should have drawn more debate and scrutiny.

     

    Rep. Susan Bucher, D-West Palm Beach, was among critics who pointed to public-opinion polls that show more than 80 percent of people are against spending tax money on professional-sports arenas and a report by a Senate economist that showed the facilities provide little or no economic benefit to their regions.

     

    Other critics, such as Brummer and Delray Beach Democrat Anne Gannon said the bill steals money from other state priorities, such as health care for the poor, public schools, and local road and water projects.

     

    But supporters, such as Rep. Juan-Carlos Planas, R-Miami, said if not for the stadiums, the state wouldn't raise as much revenues as it now does for public priorities.

     

    ``This is where we get the money for the eyeglasses and the dentures for the poor, all the special projects we want,'' Planas said. ``It's by people coming here (to Florida and its entertainment facilities) and spending their money.''

     

    Some lawmakers said they are opposed because they think Miami-Dade County has already enjoyed enough perks in the budget while other parts of the state have suffered from last year's hurricanes.

     

    ``I can't stand here and help build stadiums when I still have 30,000 families (in my community) who can't move into their homes (after Hurricane Ivan),'' said Rep. Holly Benson, R-Pensacola.

     

    Mark Hollis can be reached at [email protected] or 850-224-6214.

     

    http://www.sun-sentinel.com/news/legislatu...0,1184606.story

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    comment_483126

    This is great news and very creative to get it around Brummer. :p

    756259[/snapback]

     

    Quick, let's slam it through the Senate before anyone can change their minds! :thumbup

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    comment_483127

    ``This bill is actually a reverse Robin Hood,'' complained Rep. Eleanor Sobel, D-Hollywood. ``We're actually robbing the poor to give to the rich.''

     

    What the hell is her problem??? And she's from Hollywood no less...a community that is in the Marlins back yard. Ridiculous...

     

    :banghead

    756224[/snapback]

    the fact that the marlins are in her backyard now and want to move near dtown miami would make her dislike a stadium deal

     

    i can understand why she wouldnt like this, but her quote is still dumb

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    comment_483128

    ``This bill is actually a reverse Robin Hood,'' complained Rep. Eleanor Sobel, D-Hollywood. ``We're actually robbing the poor to give to the rich.''

     

    What the hell is her problem??? And she's from Hollywood no less...a community that is in the Marlins back yard. Ridiculous...

     

    :banghead

    756224[/snapback]

    the fact that the marlins are in her backyard now and want to move near dtown miami would make her dislike a stadium deal

     

    i can understand why she wouldnt like this, but her quote is still dumb

    756271[/snapback]

     

     

    Yeah but its not the Marlins fault that her county and district wanted nothing to do with helping them build a new stadium. Just shut up and move on!

     

     

     

    This is some great news!! :notworthy :notworthy

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