From Deseret News archives:
Voters tell rich team owners to just bug of
I think I know what your answers are.
I definitely know the answers of people who live in those cities. They gave them at the ballot box on Nov. 7.
Lost amid all the Election Day news about Democrats taking over Congress was the message taxpayers gave to professional sports team owners nationwide in a series of initiatives. It's something politicians along the Wasatch Front ought to examine closely as they continue to decide whether to use public funds for a professional soccer stadium in Sandy.
Here's a quick rundown of how voters treated pro sports:
Seattle: A ballot initiative that prohibits the use of city funds for pro teams passed by an overwhelming 74 percent. This came despite the very real threat that the Sonics may move to Oklahoma City if they can't get a new arena. Supporters of the initiative now say the rest of the state should honor the results, as well. That may not happen, as some Seattle suburbs appear interested in offering arena deals without any public votes, that is.
Sacramento: The NBA's Kings are demanding a new arena. To get around a law requiring a two-thirds vote for any large tax increase, supporters of the team broke a public-subsidy proposal into two separate ballot questions. Voters rejected one by 72 percent and the other by 80 percent. The Maloof brothers, owners of the team, are billionaires. California Assemblyman Dave Jones told the Associated Press, "Voters understood that we were being asked to provide a public handout in the form of an arena for a billionaire corporation."
Pasadena, Calif.: A city measure to use public funds to renovate the Rose Bowl and make it fit for an NFL franchise lost 72 percent to 28 percent. The head of a group opposed to the measure told the Los Angeles Daily News that people asked themselves, "Do we want the NFL to control us with their whims?"
Comments
- BYU football: NCAA awards 12:30 a.m.
- Pitta doesn't win award 12:27 a.m.
- Magic unable to continue road act 12:26 a.m.
- Fans should worry about lousy teams 12:24 a.m.
- U.S.-born Hispanics see gains 12:23 a.m.
- Editorial: Extremism spike alarming 12:23 a.m.
- No need for more stimulus 12:22 a.m.
- Putting self-preservation first 12:22 a.m.
- Tiger just another game player 12:22 a.m.
- Letters: Plain talk on warming 12:22 a.m.
- Nude bathers cited for lewdness
- Few details on missing W.V. mom
- Jazz fall apart late at L.A.
- Crash landing next to I-15
- Defense witness goes on offensive
- BCS = power conference monopoly
- Palin signs books, chats with fans
- 5 officers lose their certification
- I-15 expansion barreling south
- Y.'s Emery bruised, but rarely beaten
- Letters: Global warming a lie
256 - TCU to play Boise in Fiesta Bowl
206 - BYU football: Bronco weighs in on Hall
193 - Palin signs books, chats with fans
165 - Cougars going back to Vegas
150 - Utah/BYU rivalry can be more civil
149 - Andersen apologizes for Jordan hoax
142 - Max Hall wants to look ahead
124 - Nude bathers cited for lewdness
120 - Jazz fall apart late at L.A.
110
Love him or hate him, Utah Sen. Orrin Hatch knows how to get attention.
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