The TX Senate State Affairs Committee passed a facility
financing bill yesterday after adding "a provision that
would protect Dallas from suburbs that the city fears will
steal its sports teams," according to Todd Gillman of the
DALLAS MORNING NEWS. Even though Dallas officials said that
the Senate bill "was more acceptable," none of the four
Dallas-area members on the committee voted for the measure,
which passed 7-5. The added "anti-portability" clause,
which passed 10-1, restricts teams from negotiating with
other TX cities while still under lease in another TX
municipality. Bill author State Rep. Kim Brimer is "firmly
opposed" to the anti-portability clause. The full Senate
will debate the bill next week (DALLAS MORNING NEWS, 5/16).
HOUSTON IMPACT: In Houston, John Williams notes that
city officials "were pleased" with the committee vote, but
"worry that a growing feud between Dallas and Arlington
could threaten" the bill. A number of "key changes" to the
bill directly affect the city of Houston and Harris County.
One of those amendments allows the county to charge a 2%
hotel tax, which was removed in the House bill last week.
Another amendment limited the rental car tax in Harris
County to 5% while a third said the county would not be
mandated to conduct another referendum for a new ballpark
for the Astros or Astrodome remodeling. Astros Owner
Drayton McLane Jr.: "We are very relieved and very excited.
This was a key day for us" (HOUSTON CHRONICLE, 5/16).
