The Goldwater Institute is threatening to sue the city of Mesa to block public financing of the $84 million proposed Cactus League stadium for the Chicago Cubs.
Goldwater attorney Clint Bolick said Tuesday the deal between the city of Mesa and the Cubs could violate state prohibitions against government gifts to private entities crossing the Arizona Supreme Court’s recent decision on tax incentives given by Phoenix to the CityNorth development.
Bolick plans to meet with Mesa Mayor Scott Smith, who hopes to avoid any legal action against Mesa.
Bolick said he has concerns about the agreement, which calls for financing by Mesa as well as countywide measures in the form of higher rental car taxes and state-imposed fees on all Cactus League baseball games.
The Cubs would buy land for the new ballpark and turn it over to Mesa for development. The Cubs would get rights to signage, naming rights and would be able to book extra events at the stadium.
Bolick said the plan is one-sided in favor of the Cubs, which should put in more money or offer a better deal for Mesa. “The Cubs might have to put some more skin in the game,” Bolick said.
Smith said the Cubs are a top draw in the Cactus League and a move by the team to Florida would hurt the region’s economy.
Personally, I think the Cubs should move their spring training to Florida if anyone attempts to block the proposed deal to finance their Mesa stadium.
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I am sure the taxpayers of Arizona would appreciate it if the Chicago Cubs took their corporate welfare ways to Florida.
ReplyDeleteI think you have to look at the big picture - if in the long run the Cubs presence would bring in more in tax revenue than any tax would cost the tax payers in the short term, its probably a good deal since it will keep taxes down in the long term, even if there is a short term bump in the tax on rental cars.
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