The PA state legislature is expected to vote today on
funding for new stadiums for Philadelphia and Pittsburgh in
"a last-ditch effort to win state backing before the
Legislature adjourns for the year," according to John Baer of
the PHILADELPHIA DAILY NEWS. The issue was delayed Monday
when team owners and PA Gov. Tom Ridge "again failed to
muster enough support for the controversial spending." But
the Senate could vote "as soon as" today on raising the
state's debt ceiling $500M, including $350M for the four new
stadiums. Senate approval of the measure would send it to the
House for a vote today or tonight before lawmakers adjourn
until January. So far, the issue has been a "rock-hard sell"
to lawmakers, many of whom "are reluctant to commit state
money" to the projects. Ridge spokesperson Tim Reeves said
that "trend lines are moving in our direction," but
"cautioned" that the necessary votes were not in place as of
Monday night (John Baer, PHILADELPHIA DAILY NEWS, 11/24).
LIGHTS OUT?: In Philadelphia, Ken Dilanian writes that
state legislators "do not believe that the votes required to
pass the funding measure are there." Rep. George Kenney (R)
criticized Philadelphia for failing to come up with a public
plan -- unlike Pittsburgh's Plan B -- to raise its share of
stadium funds. Gov. Ridge used the Patriots deal with CT as
an example, calling it "a reason lawmakers should vote for
his plan," because PA can get four stadiums for the price CT
is paying for one (PHILADELPHIA ENQUIRER, 11/24).
PITT-FALL: In Pittsburgh, Shelly & Reeves report that
if the funding measure isn't passed, the Pirates and Steelers
"could lose an entire season in their new homes." The
Pirates, who have already started to clear the proposed site
for their new ballpark, "could lose" $30M if the park isn't
open in time for the 2001 season (POST-GAZETTE, 11/24).
