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House Budget Cuts Subsidies For Pro Sports Franchises
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Published: April 11, 2008
Updated: 04/11/2008 12:17 am
TALLAHASSEE - The House's plan to slash $20 million for professional sports franchises next year has already raised concerns about building projects bonded with that money.
With no companion budget cut in the Senate and commitment on the part of House leaders unclear, however, the proposal faces an uphill battle for survival.
The $65 billion spending plan that passed the House on Thursday suspends for one year the state's annual payout in subsidies to professional sports franchises such as the Tampa Bay Rays and Tampa Bay Lightning, at a cost of roughly $2 million each.
Last fiscal year, the sales tax-backed subsidy cost the state about $20 million, which contributed to more than a dozen stadiums and other professional sports facilities.
Most Tampa Bay area sports franchises remained mum on Thursday about the prospective cut, which House leaders accepted from Democrats late Wednesday and will now have to negotiate with the Senate.
In the case of the Tampa Sports Authority, however, the $2 million it receives is pledged to pay off bonds used to build Raymond James Stadium, said Henry Saavedra, authority executive director.
Saavedra said he doubts the Legislature can cut off the payments with 20 years left on the bond issue. "The bond issues were issued in the good faith commitment that those funds would be available from the state."
Late Wednesday, House budget chief and Speaker-designate Ray Sansom acknowledged that such long-term obligations may make it hard to preserve the cut. On Thursday, he said "we have to be" open to restoring the funding since the Senate budget lacks the same proposal.
Senate Majority Leader Dan Webster said Thursday that he was just learning about the proposal.
"We've tried to, in every area, steer away from cutting things where the money is committed long-term," said Webster, R-Winter Garden. "If it's not obligated, certainly every part of government has had to take the cut; I think that would be on the table."
Rep. Ron Saunders, D-Key West, who sponsored the proposal, predicted that its odds of survival are fairly long. He said, however, that accepting his plan was a matter for the House of backing up its pledge about prioritizing spending.
"It's hard to talk about prioritization when you're cutting education and health care, and funding professional sports teams."
Reporters Mike Salinero, Marc Lancaster, Carter Gaddis and Russell Ray contributed to this report. Reporter Catherine Dolinski can be reached at cdolinski@tampatrib.com or (850) 222-8382.
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Posted by ( BlueCollar ) on April 11, 2008 at 5:24 a.m. ( Suggest removal )
Why do we subsidize wealthy sports team owners? Seriously - do these corporate welfare queens really need government handouts?
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