A poll conducted by MA's Clark Univ. reveals that "by strong
margins" voters oppose using tax dollars to pay for a Boston
megaplex, with an even more "overwhelming majority" against
public financing of sports stadiums, according to the BOSTON
HERALD. Of those polled, 53% agree that megaplex financing
"should be completely in the hand of private investors with no
help from the state government" (Phil Primack, BOSTON HERALD,
5/30). Paul Much, who is advising the megaplex commission, said
the lease agreement negotiated with the Patriots is an
"attractive deal" for the state. In addition to his $5M annual
payments to the state, Patriots Owner Robert Kraft has agreed to
cover operating costs for the proposed domed stadium. In his
commission report, Much states that it is "highly unlikely" the
facility can be built without state funding, and he suggests
approaching corporate partners. ITT is currently considering a
$100M investment in the megaplex, and the state has also
contacted AT&T, Fidelity Investments, General Electric, and
Gillette (Meg Vaillancourt, BOSTON GLOBE, 5/27). Gov. William
Weld has even gone as far as to say he might "scuttle" the entire
project if a statewide tax is part of the deal, according to
Friday's BOSTON HERALD. Weld: "Anyone who is saying that Weld
and [Lt. Gov. Paul] Cellucci have to break their no-new-taxes
pledge is really saying 'We don't want this deal to go'" (Phil
Primack, BOSTON HERALD, 5/26).
