The TX Senate approved an arena financing bill Tuesday
"that gives Dallas 18 months to cut an arena deal with its
sports teams without fear a suburb will try to steal them,"
according to Todd Gillman of the DALLAS MORNING NEWS. The
bill includes an "anti-portability" clause which prevents TX
cities from negotiating with one another's sports teams
until November 1, '98. The House passed a similar measure
two weeks ago without the "anti-portability" provision.
Gillman writes, "Although it sought permanent protection,
the best that Dallas could win was a moratorium that expires
next year," but the clause gives the city "the time needed
to complete more than three years of talks" with the Stars
and Mavericks on a new arena (DALLAS MORNING NEWS, 5/21).
HOUSTON'S REAX: Houston "got everything it wanted" in
the Senate version of the Brimer bill, according to John
Williams of the HOUSTON CHRONICLE. Sen. John Whitmire of
Houston: "I can certainly speak for Houston and Harris
County that it will certainly address our current needs."
The Senate version of the bill reduced the maximum car
rental tax from 10% to 5% and added a hotel occupancy tax of
2%. Also "stripped away" was an amendment in the House
version that would have forced Harris County voters to vote
again for a new ballpark and football stadium. The bill is
expected to return to the House "as early as Friday"
(HOUSTON CHRONICLE, 5/21). State Sen. Kim Brimer said that
he will study the Senate's changes before "deciding whether
to demand a conference committee." Brimer: "I don't see any
roadblocks that were added in the Senate" (Todd Gillman,
DALLAS MORNING NEWS, 5/21).
