Surprising move by Florida Legislature

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MIAMI -- Even as the Marlins have explored relocation options, team officials kept remaining in South Florida as the franchise's first priority.

Since Opening Day, progress has been made to secure land and funding for a retractable-roof stadium in Hialeah.

As those negotiations move forward, to work out a public/private venture with Miami-Dade County, an unlikely source has moved into the stadium picture.

On Wednesday night, the Florida Legislature stepped in with a move that caught some state politicians off-guard.

Hialeah state Sen. Rudy Garcia and two Miami senators gathered support to attach a $60 million sales-tax subsidy to a proposal by state leaders to help the NBA's Orlando Magic finance a new arena.

The move surprised Marlins president David Samson as well.

The past two seasons, the state of Florida has swatted down efforts by the Marlins to receive the same tax subsidy, which would be a $60 million tax break over 30 years.

A year ago, Miami-based politicians went to the Legislature seeking the same sales-tax subsidy. Had it passed, it would have finalized funding on a retractable-roof stadium next to the Orange Bowl in downtown Miami. But the State Senate last May didn't bring the issue up for a vote, starting the beginning of the end of the Orange Bowl project.

In 2004, the sales-tax subsidy also was rejected.

Previous Marlins owner John Henry also was unable to get state support several years ago.

With a poor track record with Florida politicians, the Marlins have worked on a stadium deal that would not include state assistance.

Now, that may change.

The measure will be voted on Thursday, two days before the Legislature session ends.

The team and Hialeah officials have been talking about using property taxes from a proposed industrial park to finance construction of the stadium.