TWO LAWSUITS TEMPORARILY DELAY SACRAMENTO'S LOAN FOR KINGS

          Two lawsuits filed by Sacramento taxpayer groups have
     "derailed, at least temporarily," the city's $70M loan to
     the NBA Kings, according to Tony Bizjak of the SACRAMENTO
     BEE.  Both lawsuits target the city's $70M loan package,
     which includes a tax in the way of a ticket surcharge at
     Arco Arena.  The city "had planned to sell bonds next week"
     to raise money for the loan, but city officials said Friday
     that the two lawsuits "must be cleared up first."  Kings
     Owner Jim Thomas said he is "willing to move the deadline
     for the bond sale back to June 20."  Thomas had the option
     "to back out of the deal" if the bonds weren't sold by April
     18.  Thomas: "As long as I am satisfied (progress) is
     happening, I'm not complaining" (SACRAMENTO BEE, 4/12).