NEW PLAN IN TAMPA WOULD AVOID NEED FOR ANY TAX HIKES

     There is a new financing plan under consideration in Tampa
to help pay for a new Bucs stadium without asking the FL
Legislature for the right to impose new taxes.  This morning's
TAMPA TRIBUNE reports the public side of the funding would come
from the sale of Tampa Stadium Authority land and surcharges on
everything in the new stadium -- from parking to concessions.
The plans assumes that Bucs ownership will make a $5.8M annual
payment toward the stadium.  Bucs VPs Bryan and Joel Glazer
recently said their family would consider such a payment, but
that has not been part of any formal offer.  The Glazers have
said they are not willing to wait for local officials to get
legislative approval for the right to raise taxes.  Also being
explored is a plan to levy a football stadium surcharge on fans
attending Lightning or Yankees spring training games (Henderson &
Walker, TAMPA TRIBUNE, 12/13).