FL lawmakers raced to find alternative ways to pay for a new
stadium for the Bucs after a plan to tax rental cars in
Hillsborough County was amended Monday by a Senate committee.
According to the TAMPA TRIBUNE, no specific plans were discussed,
with the Legislature schedule to adjourn May 3. In Tampa, Bucs
backers were eyeing ways to bypass the Legislature and "seek a
local referendum on their own." Hillsborough County Chair Joe
Chillura said he will propose an "all-purpose half-cent sales tax
referendum" to fund school construction, police and the stadium.
That would last for 30 years and generate about $60M a year, but
he would need the support of three other commissioners to get it
on the ballot this fall. Voters "soundly rejected half-cent
proposals last fall for schools and police, but Chillura said he
believes it may pass now." Tampa Mayor Dick Greco remained
"fatalistic": "In essence, I think the Buccaneers are gone."
Greco spoke with NFL Commissioner Paul Tagliabue, "who could
offer very little encouragement." Greco: "He said he was very
sorry, very disappointed. We did the best we could. They (NFL)
did the best they could, and that's it" (Henderson & Metz, TAMPA
TRIBUNE, 4/24).