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For Immediate Release
February 3, 1999
White Votes NO on Controversial Stadium Funding Plan
Harrisburg – Calling it a bad deal for taxpayers, Sen. Mary Jo White
(R-21) today voted against a plan to help fund the construction of new
sports stadiums in Pennsylvania.
The measure passed the Senate and House of Representatives and was sent
to the governor for his signature.
The legislation would increase the state debt ceiling to provide $320
million to the owners of sports teams in Philadelphia and Pittsburgh. The
money would come from the state Redevelopment Assistance Fund. The plan
calls for the funds to be paid back through future taxes paid by the teams.
White said the legislation was a bad deal for Pennsylvania taxpayers.
"There was a valiant eleventh hour attempt to transform the stadium
funding bill into a more traditional economic development loan, but it
failed to convince me that the proposal can be justified on the basis of
economic impact or jobs created. I support a new Pittsburgh Convention
Center and the lowering of the dollar threshold for economic development
projects to $1 million. The price tag on this bill was too high," said
White.
White noted that sports owners have misrepresented the ability of stadiums
to generate economic development, with independent studies exposing this
oft-repeated myth.
Pennsylvania can create many more jobs – with fewer dollars spent –
without stadium funding, the senator said.
In November 1997, voters in 11 southwestern Pennsylvania counties overwhelmingly
rejected government investment in stadium funding. And a Lincoln Institute
survey of Central Pennsylvania voters found that 90 percent of the people
do not want to risk their tax dollars to build stadiums for multi-millionaire
team owners.
"In referendum, the voters of my district said loud and clear that they
do not want to see taxpayer funds used to build sports stadiums; it's my
job to make their voice heard," White said.
Under the plan, teams would have to repay the $320 million via tax revenues
during the next 30 years. If that tax revenue falls short, team owners
would have to pay the difference at 10-year intervals.
CONTACT: Leigh Ramsey (717) 787-9684
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