Facility Notes

Florida state Senate President Tom Lee indicated that a Senate vote on the tax rebate bill to help fund a new Marlins ballpark, Magic arena, NASCAR HOF and minor-league baseball facilities “was still doubtful before the close of the session on Friday.” The bill is currently stuck in committee, and thus needs a two-thirds majority vote on the Senate floor to be considered. Miami-Dade County delegation members estimate the bill “might not even have the support of half of the Senate’s 40 members” (Sarah Talalay, Ft. Lauderdale SUN-SENTINEL, 5/4). Former Florida state Senate President Jim King, on combining the tax rebates into one bill: “The Marlins might have been able to make it alone; now you’ve got a hell of a lot more reasons to vote against it” (MIAMI HERALD, 5/4).

Dodgers Fans Get Unruly During $2 Tuesday Ticket Game

TERRIBLE TWOS: In L.A., Tony Jackson reports last night’s Nationals-Dodgers game was delayed for about ten minutes after the sixth inning “due to unruly fan behavior.” Two fans jumped out of the stands in right-field and ran across the outfield “while being chased by numerous security personnel.” A “handful of plastic bottles were thrown from the left-field bleachers onto the field. The domino effect was instant, as what appeared to be hundreds of plastic bottles then flew onto the field” (L.A. DAILY NEWS, 5/4).

TERMINAL VELOCITY: In N.Y., Dave Little reports the New York State Court of Appeals yesterday ruled 5-2 that VLTs “are not slot machines but ‘lottery’ terminals,” making the machines legal in the state.” The court also ruled that the “cut [of VLT revenue given] to horsemen and breeders is constitutional.” Last year, the Appellate Division of the State Supreme Court ruled that the “money flow from the machines to the racing industry was unconstitutional, saying all monies from ‘lotteries’ must go to education” (N.Y. DAILY NEWS, 5/4).

COUNTY BOUNTY: In Memphis, David Williams reports the Memphis City Council Personnel, Intergovernmental & Annexation Committee yesterday voted 5-2 against joining Shelby County in a “dispute resolution process with the Grizzlies over interpretation of” a non-compete clause at FedExForum. The issue will be reviewed by the full City Council in two weeks (Memphis COMMERCIAL APPEAL, 5/4).