Though AZ legislative leaders "reached a compromise"
Tuesday on stadium district legislation, ending a "bloody,
two-year fight," the agreement has "serious implications"
for a proposed hockey arena for the Coyotes in Scottsdale,
according to Moeser & Mattern of the ARIZONA REPUBLIC. The
new legislation would require the city to put up local tax
dollars "to match" the $100M in state sales tax revenue that
will be "used to fund the project." Scottsdale will have to
contribute "more money" from the Los Arcos development,
either from new taxes, bonds or money from the city's
general fund. This would not affect Mesa, which is already
"asking" voters for a quarter-cent sales tax "to help fund"
the Rio Salado Crossing project for the Cardinals.
Scottsdale leaders have "repeatedly" said the arena complex
will not use new taxes, but they "acknowledge" the city will
"have to come up with more money somehow." Scottsdale Mayor
Sam Campana: "This is very late in the game to even consider
thinking about having any new taxes" (AZ REPUBLIC, 4/28).
