The "margin has narrowed since December," but six weeks
before voters in NC decide whether to use tax dollars to
build a ballpark, the proposal still trails by almost 2-to-1
in the polls, according to David Rice of the WINSTON-SALEM
JOURNAL. Asked if they support the proposal for a 1% tax on
prepared food and a $.50 tax on tickets to help pay for a
stadium, 61% of voters surveyed in Forsyth and Guilford
counties said they oppose the plan and 31% said they support
it. Voters will go to the polls on May 5 to decide whether
to contribute $140M toward a new facility. Despite the gap,
stadium proponents said that the poll represents "progress,"
as the number of those opposed to the tax has dropped from
71% in a December poll. Vote Yes for MLB's Walter Klein said
he expects the numbers to narrow with campaign radio and TV
spots starting shortly and the Twins playing an exhibition
game in Winston-Salem. The poll surveyed 428 "likely" voters
last week, with a margin of error of +/- 5% (JOURNAL, 3/27).
CHARLOTTE'S WEB: In Charlotte, Clifford Glickman: "No
one will talk about it publicly, but it appears that
Charlotte's effort to attract [MLB] is quietly gaining
momentum. In fact, a baseball stadium might have passed a
basketball arena as some business leaders' primary focus for
the next uptown sports complex" (CHARLOTTE OBSERVER, 3/30).
