PA STADIUM PROJECTS NEED MORE SUPPORT FROM LEGISLATURE

          Legislative supporters of proposed new stadiums in
     Pittsburgh and Philadelphia "still haven't lined up enough
     votes to secure the anticipated $325 million that was
     expected to be the state share for those projects,"
     according to Peter Shelly of the PITTSBURGH POST-GAZETTE. 
     PA House Majority Leader John Perzel said proponents "just
     don't have the votes for this."  PA Gov. Tom Ridge "is
     pushing" the Legislature to increase the state's debt
     ceiling by $300M to $325M "to cover the state share" for
     four new stadiums -- two in Pittsburgh and two in
     Philadelphia -- which amounts to "roughly" $75M to $80M
     each.  Though some "expressed optimism" that the legislation
     would pass, "time is working against the teams" as the
     legislative term ends November 30 (POST-GAZETTE, 11/11).