Miami-Dade County voters "are overwhelmingly opposed to
imposing a cruise tax to pay for a new Marlins stadium,"
according to a poll conducted for the cruise industry by DC-
based polling firm Schroth & Associates and cited by Peter
Whoriskey of the MIAMI HERALD. The results of the poll,
which asked 600 likely voters earlier this month whether
they would vote yes or no for the $4-8 cruise ship passenger
tax, showed that 35% of respondents favored the tax, 60%
opposed it, and 5% remain undecided. But Marlins officials
"are saying just the contrary" and have hired DC-based The
Polling Company to conduct their own survey. Marlins Exec
VP Julio Rebull: "A majority of those polled believe it is a
fair and reasonable proposal" (MIAMI HERALD, 3/22).
FISHING FOR SUPPORT: The Marlins have a new 30-second
TV ad running in its effort to increase support for the
cruise tax. The spot is running on cable channels such as
CNN, ESPN, CNBC and BET. A voiceover with a shot of the
Marlins logo, states, "How are we going to pay for a new
ballpark? Here's the plan: Local taxpayers will not pay for
the new ballpark. The [Marlins] will make a significant
contribution of up to $80 million. A cruise passenger
surcharge of $4 per day. It's a fair and reasonable plan
and local taxpayers do not pay for the new ballpark." In
reviewing the ad, Steve Bousquet writes that the team's
claim that local taxpayers will not have to pay for the new
ballpark is "overlooking the fact that some South Floridians
take multiday cruises" (MIAMI HERALD, 3/22).
