Neil deMause, who studied the issue for 12 years, during which time $10 billion of taxpayer money was spent on 50 stadiums, co-authored "Field of Schemes: How the Great Stadium Swindle Turns Public Money into Private Profit." He told a congressional oversight committee, "I have yet to find any independent economists — that is, ones not on the payroll of pro sports teams — who believe there is any significant positive impact to local economies from sports stadiums and arenas."

Just last week a study was released by the National Taxpayers Union that reported, "Publicly funded stadiums are, at best, an inefficient investment of taxpayer dollars for the meager benefits produced and, at worst, massive payments to rich team owners and players at the expense of ordinary taxpayers."

All of which is why in recent years citizens around the country have demanded to vote on the issue and/or have rejected publicly funded stadiums around the country (Utahns were denied the opportunity despite polls that showed they clearly opposed public funding).

Utahns were promised economic development when they spent millions of dollars of public money to build the Salt Palace and the new-and-improved Salt Palace and host the Winter Olympic Games and build Franklin Covey Field. How have everyday Utahns benefited in any practical, tangible way from these investments? Utah has the fourth-largest burden of state and local taxes in the nation. Did you see your property tax notice this month?

Here's the way it works: Taxpayers foot the bill for publicly funded stadiums so a handful of people can make a lot of money and everyone else lives check to check.

If team owners and politicians (Gov. Jon Huntsman, Greg Curtis, John Valentine, Tom Dolan, etc.) are going to force their pet projects on us, they should at least stop insulting our intelligence by saying it will be good for economic development. It will be good for Dave Checketts.

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Doug Robinson's column runs on Tuesdays. Please e-mail drob@desnews.com.