The Bucs "may hold the key" as to whether a referendum to
increase Hillsborough County's multi-purpose sales tax to 7%
proceeds, writes Joe Henderson of the TAMPA TRIBUNE. At a
hearing today, county commissioners are expected to decide
whether to go ahead with the September 3 vote, though they have
said they will drop the tax hike from the ballot if Bucs Owner
Malcolm Glazer does not give up control of a new stadium to the
Tampa Sports Authority. Some, however, feel the vote should
proceed with or without the team, either eliminating money for a
new stadium or keeping it in escrow in case another team moves to
Tampa (TAMPA TRIBUNE, 7/10).
SALES TAX PITCH: To improve chances of passage of the tax,
promoters say the campaign should "de-emphasize" the stadium
while emphasizing schools and other beneficiaries, according to
the ST. PETE TIMES. This is the advice of Neil Newhouse, a DC-
based pollster who worked on Cincinnati's successful sales taxes
campaign (ST. PETERSBURG TIMES, 7/9). NFL spokesperson Greg
Aiello said league support will come in the form of "appearances"
only (TAMPA TRIBUNE, 7/10).
OPPORTUNITY KNOCKS: Meanwhile in Osceola County, County
Commission Chair Charles Owen plans to hold a July 22 news
conference to discuss the economic impact of a Bucs' move to
Central FL. The ORLANDO SENTINEL reports that Owen has been
"trying to line up Orange County financial support" for a new
stadium that would "straddle the line separating" Osceola and
Orange Counties (ORLANDO SENTINEL, 7/10).