A lawsuit brought by MI state Sen. George Hart and the Tiger
Stadium Fan Club could make the March 19 referendum over funding
for a new Tiger Stadium "a moot issue," according to the DETROIT
FREE PRESS. Tina Lam reports that if it is determined $55M from
the Michigan Strategic Fund earmarked for additional stadium
construction was not appropriated legally, it would not matter if
voters approve the city's $40M bond issue since Detroit would not
have enough money to contribute its share of the proposed $240M
facility. The lawsuit contends MI Gov. John Engler violated the
state constitution when he put Indian casino money into the Fund
in '93 without legislative approval. An hearing on the issue is
scheduled for today (DETROIT FREE PRESS, 3/11).
HARDBALL DEBATE: Detroit Mayor Dennis Archer and Tiger
Stadium Fan Club President Frank Rashid debated the proposed
ballpark during a debate taped last night. Archer: "A new
stadium will be a boon for the city, and it is going to be built
-- period." Rashid: "We're looking out for the best interest of
the people of Detroit, not one of the state's wealthiest
residents [Tiger Owner Mike Ilitch]." The debate airs this
evening (Jason Anders, DETROIT NEWS, 3/12).
BIG BUSINESS EQUALS BIG BUCKS: The Committee for Jobs and
Development for Detroit has raised $348,456 in support of a new
Tiger Stadium. The largest contributions have come from National
Bank of Detroit ($40,000); GM ($30,000); and $25,000 each from
Detroit Edison, Ford Motor Co., and AAA Michigan. Meanwhile, the
Tiger Stadium Fan Club has raised only approximately $30,000
(DETROIT NEWS, 3/12).
