Florida House Votes To Suspend Pro Sports Subsidies One Year

Panthers Could Temporarily Lose Subsidy If State Legislators Approve New Budget Amendment

State subsidies used to help fund pro hockey and MLB spring training in Broward County (FL) "would be eliminated for one year, under a budget amendment the Florida House adopted" yesterday, according to Josh Hafenbrack of the South Florida SUN-SENTINEL. The measure "prohibits state allocations to pro sports franchises, a move that would save the state $20[M]" in the '08-09 budget year. This year $2M has gone to the Panthers and $416,000 "has been set aside for the [Orioles'] spring training site." With Florida facing a $3B budget deficit for this FY, subsidies "would be frozen for one year and the money put in the state's reserves." Hafenbrack notes owners of Dolphin Stadium and AmericanAirlines Arena "also receive $2[M] in annual state subsidies." The amendment must still be approved by the State Senate (South Florida SUN-SENTINEL, 4/10).