Posted January 11, 200718 yr http://www.palmbeachpost.com/politics/cont...110marlins.html Crist backs Marlins stadium By CHARLES ELMORE Palm Beach Post Staff Writer Wednesday, January 10, 2007 Gov. Charlie Crist on Wednesday cited the euphoria over the University of Florida's national football championship among the reasons the state should reverse course and help pay for a Florida Marlins baseball stadium. "I'm favorably inclined to it," Crist said. "I view it as an economic-development issue. "It's not just the players who benefit from having Major League Baseball in the community. People who sell hot dogs benefit. People who do parking benefit. And it's a point of pride for many of our communities, especially if it's a winning team like things are in Gainesville right now." The choice is ultimately up to state legislators, who in the past have questioned the wisdom of subsidizing wealthy owners and players. In what has almost become an annual rite, state lawmakers have effectively killed stadium plans under previous Marlins owner John Henry and current owner Jeffrey Loria. Crist's emphatic support so soon after taking office last week stands in contrast to his predecessor, Jeb Bush. Initially opposed to state support for a stadium, Bush later changed his mind but did not prove influential on the issue with a skeptical Florida Senate. Marlins President David Samson declined a request to respond publicly to Crist's remarks. Loria has repeatedly said the team cannot support a competitive payroll under an unfavorable lease at Dolphin Stadum, and will not play there past 2010. The Marlins have won two World Series titles, but played before sparse crowds with the league's lowest payroll last year. Meanwhile, stadium talks have shifted back to the city of Miami, to a site north of NE 3rd Street between I-95 and Biscayne Boulevard. A site in Hialeah, the focus of negotiations last year, is "not dead," a team official said, but he called it fair to say the momentum is pointing downtown. Major League Baseball is taking a prominent role in the talks. State Rep. Carlos Lopez-Cantera of Miami has said he will sponsor a bill for a $60 million state subsidy, though a revised total for the stadium cost has not been made public. A plan for a $420 million ballpark beside the Orange Bowl fell apart in 2005. A stadium with a retractable roof, which the Marlins want as protection against frequent thunderstorms, may well approach $500 million now. Miami-Dade County, the city of Miami and the team are trying to work out their respective contributions. This is not the first endorsement of state support for baseball from Crist, who has been involved in past efforts to bring franchises to the state. "In all seriousness, I think it's very important we embrace Major League Baseball," Crist said. "When I worked for Sen. Connie Mack, and even afterwards, he appointed me to a commission to try to lure Major League Baseball to our state. We've been very successful. I think we have a continuing obligation to try to nurture that. And I think there is a role for the state government in that regard."
January 11, 200718 yr At least we know there will be no veto if the legislature votes to help the Marlins. Lets hope that he can influence some of the state representatives and senators that are the ones who actually do the voting.
January 11, 200718 yr Hopefully this results in enough votes in both chambers to get this thing passed!
January 12, 200718 yr From a political standpoint, assuming Crist and recent news reports indicating that any new insurance reform package will not only stabilize rates but eliminate a portion of the increase insurance companies put through last year, thus rolling back rates. I would assume that upon the enactment of that legislation, then would be the politically astute time to push through and secure the final funding piece for a new Marlins stadium. I fully expect that any moment now the Dave Hyde's of the world will start dropping hints about Huizenga's new offer to share Dolphin Stadium, or maybe adjoining land becoming available again or suggesting the Marlins aren't paying their fair share, or the red herring that "we need new schools and books not new stadiums for the rich..." etc., as Wayne's PR machine kicks into gear across the state to try and derail funding in Talahassee. It isn't a matter of "if", it's a matter of "when".
January 12, 200718 yr i hope that their donot do same thing their did last year. to but to vote as clock hit mildnight their all want to home to sleep
January 12, 200718 yr From a political standpoint, assuming Crist and recent news reports indicating that any new insurance reform package will not only stabilize rates but eliminate a portion of the increase insurance companies put through last year, thus rolling back rates. I would assume that upon the enactment of that legislation, then would be the politically astute time to push through and secure the final funding piece for a new Marlins stadium. I fully expect that any moment now the Dave Hyde's of the world will start dropping hints about Huizenga's new offer to share Dolphin Stadium, or maybe adjoining land becoming available again or suggesting the Marlins aren't paying their fair share, or the red herring that "we need new schools and books not new stadiums for the rich..." etc., as Wayne's PR machine kicks into gear across the state to try and derail funding in Talahassee. It isn't a matter of "if", it's a matter of "when". I agree H Waynne hasn't been anything but destructive to this franchise
January 13, 200718 yr I fully expect that any moment now the Dave Hyde's of the world will start dropping hints about Huizenga's new offer to share Dolphin Stadium, or maybe adjoining land becoming available again or suggesting the Marlins aren't paying their fair share, or the red herring that "we need new schools and books not new stadiums for the rich..." etc., as Wayne's PR machine kicks into gear across the state to try and derail funding in Talahassee. It isn't a matter of "if", it's a matter of "when". Well it sounds like you guys have the key politicos on your side now, so I doubt if the PR campaign will work.
January 13, 200718 yr Tallahassee is very receptive to it. You have the Governor, Lt. Governor, and most of the returning members of both Chambers vocally supportive of it and that is a big change. I hope to cover it up here in more detail (maybe even attend some sessions or tape them for our use from 4FSU) as March gets closer. The Homeowner's Insurance Special Sessions begins on January 16th.
January 13, 200718 yr From a political standpoint, assuming Crist and recent news reports indicating that any new insurance reform package will not only stabilize rates but eliminate a portion of the increase insurance companies put through last year, thus rolling back rates. I would assume that upon the enactment of that legislation, then would be the politically astute time to push through and secure the final funding piece for a new Marlins stadium. I fully expect that any moment now the Dave Hyde's of the world will start dropping hints about Huizenga's new offer to share Dolphin Stadium, or maybe adjoining land becoming available again or suggesting the Marlins aren't paying their fair share, or the red herring that "we need new schools and books not new stadiums for the rich..." etc., as Wayne's PR machine kicks into gear across the state to try and derail funding in Talahassee. It isn't a matter of "if", it's a matter of "when". You hit the nail on he head there.
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