ON ARENA SALES TAX, BUSH SAYS HE'S NOT GONNA DO IT

          TX Gov. George Bush said he opposes any attempt to
     raise the local sales-tax gap to build sports facilities,
     according to Todd Gillman of the DALLAS MORNING NEWS. 
     Bush's stance "threatens a pending arena finance bill" and
     "could hurt" cities like Houston and Dallas, where sales tax
     rates are high, and pro teams are seeking new facilities. 
     State Rep. Kim Brimer, sponsor of a facility finance bill
     which could raise the local sales tax cap by a half-cent,
     "called on" Bush to let voters to decide on a higher sales
     tax to fund an arena (DALLAS MORNING NEWS, 1/31). 
     Meanwhile, Stars Owner Tom Hicks yesterday announced that
     the Mavs and Stars, "which had stopped talking to each
     other," have resumed negotiations on who will control a new
     arena in Dallas (DALLAS MORNING NEWS, 1/13).