From Deseret News archives:
Most oppose Real deal
Majority in poll don't want to use tax dollars for soccer stadium
The poll comes just days after five Utahns filed a referendum request with the state to let voters decide whether or not tax money should be used for Real Salt Lake. A majority of the residents of Salt Lake County, where those tax dollars would be generated, say they don't approve of the state-backed plan.
A spokesman for Gov. Jon Huntsman Jr. defended the legislative action. "The governor feels that future and current generations will long benefit from the amenity of a soccer stadium that's entirely paid for by private dollars," said Mike Mower, Huntsman's spokesman. "In addition, the state will retain the ownership of the land under the stadium."
Huntsman pushed a plan that gives Real Salt Lake $35 million in hotel-tax dollars for land and parking at the stadium site. That plan, which came in the form of a revised House bill, had the backing of state leadership. Days earlier, Salt Lake County Mayor Peter Corroon had denied a similar deal, calling it a risky investment.
In response, a group of co-workers is leading a petition drive Get Real Utah to let voters decided where that money should go. They have until April 19 to collect nearly 92,000 signatures of voters from 15 counties who participated in the last gubernatorial election.
The Jones poll was conducted March 7 and 8. Of note: Dan Jones has also conducted research for Real Salt Lake.
Sandy Mayor Tom Dolan said he doesn't think people fully understand what the legislation does.
Also in the next couple of weeks, an interlocal agreement among the state, Sandy City and the team should be signed. That agreement will spell out everything the team is getting to stay in Utah and everything the team has to do in return.















