Dallas was "hit with two setbacks" yesterday in its
hopes for legislation on a new arena financing plan,
according to Todd Gillman in the DALLAS MORNING NEWS. In
order to "appease" TX Gov. George Bush, State Rep. Kim
Brimer said he will drop a provision from his arena finance
bill that would have raised the sales tax ceiling in Dallas
by a half-cent. Bush has been "adamant" about keeping the
2% local sales tax cap. Dallas Mayor Ron Kirk met earlier
today with Bush to discuss the sales tax "and other ways"
the city could pay its share of a new arena. The TX Senate
passed two bills that give other cities, but not Dallas, "a
menu of taxes" to finance new sports venues. A bill that
would allow Dallas to add a half-cent sales tax to pay for
an arena and other projects could get a committee hearing
next week (DALLAS MORNING NEWS, 3/27). One financing bill
would allow Houston and Harris County to set up a five-
member sports authority that could issue debt to finance
stadiums and arenas in Houston. Debt would be repaid from
car-rental and hotel tax increases and ticket and parking
surcharges at new facilities (HOUSTON CHRONICLE, 3/27).
