M'S BALLPARK STILL FACING LEGAL HURDLES DESPITE RULING

          King County, WA, Superior Court Judge Kathleen Learned
     ruled that the proposed Mariner ballpark is not subject to
     an initiative aimed at "halting" the $414M project,
     according to David Schaefer of the SEATTLE TIMES.  Learned's
     summary judgement "would allow King County to sell bonds to
     pay for the stadium," but after the decision, supporters of
     an initiative said they would appeal to the state Court of
     Appeals.  The county is "expected to request that the case
     go immediately" to the state Supreme Court (SEATTLE TIMES,
     2/26).  Groundbreaking is planned for March 8.  Since
     interest rates are "relatively low right now," the Public
     Facilities District overseeing the bond sale is "considering
     selling the stadium bonds soon, then placing the revenue in
     escrow until the Supreme Court rules" (Heath Foster, SEATTLE
     POST-INTELLIGENCER, 2/26).  Citizens for More Important
     Things will hold a news conference today at the King County
     Courthouse to reiterate their pursuit for a stadium vote by
     touting ballot signatures (CMIT).