Getting late in the game, but Cubs financing legislation still possible this session
Mesa city leaders and state lawmakers backing a new Cactus League stadium for the Chicago Cubs hope they don't have to wait until next year to put a financing plan into place for construction. But they acknowledge they are running out of innings to get deal done before the legislative session ends in a few weeks.
"Time is running short, but several confidential ideas are being floated that may work out," said House Majority Leader John McComish, R-Ahwatukee.
McComish was the main sponsor of a plan that would have assessed 8 percent ticket fees on all Cactus League games and a $1 charge on all car rentals in Maricopa County to fund the Cubs stadium.
Major League Baseball and individual teams, including the Arizona Diamondbacks, Texas Rangers and Chicago White Sox, oppose a ticket tax.
Mesa lobbyist Scott Butler hopes a new deal can be struck this legislative session.
"Our goal hasn't changed. We hope and believe we can develop a workable plan before the end of the session," Butler said.
Mesa and McComish do not support one alternative under discussion: the creation of special tax districts around sports stadiums to capture and bond against some tax revenue for projects within those zone. The D-backs previously proposed a countywide referendum on a sales tax increase or some other revenue generator for the Cubs stadium.
The Cubs' dilemma stems from shortfalls at the Arizona Sports and Tourism Authority, which normally would provide funding for such projects but has seen its revenue diminished by the recession. AZSTA is funded via hotel and rental car taxes.
The Cubs want a new spring training stadium by 2013, and Mesa does not want to lose the team to the Grapefruit League in Naples, Fla.
Gov. Jan Brewer supports the idea of keeping the Cubs in Mesa, but has not outlined a plan to pay for an $84 million stadium.
Filed under: marketing by Guru