Hillsborough Circuit Judge James Whittemore is scheduled to
hear arguments today on a lawsuit filed earlier this week by
former Tampa Mayor William Poe over a proposed half-cent tax
increase to help fund a new Bucs stadium, according to the TAMPA
TRIBUNE. Poe wants the Community Investment Tax removed from the
September 3 ballot, claiming the $2.7B tax is unconstitutionally
"motivated by the attempt to build the stadium." The facility is
projected to receive 11.7% of the total tax money, with the
remainder going toward schools, roads and public works. In
response to the suit, County attorney Emeline Acton said the
action is "more about political rhetoric than valid
constitutional ... challenges." Tampa City Council Chair Ronnie
Mason noted he is "not real optimistic" about the tax increase
passing due to "growing community frustration" with the entire
issue (Joe Henderson, TAMPA TRIBUNE, 8/23).
LEASE UPDATE: The TRIBUNE's Henderson also writes city and
county negotiators have "nearly completed" a lease with the Bucs
for the proposed stadium and hope to gain government approval by
next week. Features include: Bucs Owner Malcolm Glazer can set
the price for parking at all Bucs games, but would have to
negotiate with the Tampa Stadium Authority before determining
prices for other events; the Bucs would be required to play nine
games each year; TSA will own and manage the facility, but Glazer
would have the right to develop land adjacent to the building;
and the lease would run for 30 years, with the team holding four
five-year renewal options after that. Glazer would also pay
$3.5M annually to pay part of the construction debt. The parties
have set an August 29 deadline to act on the lease (TAMPA
TRIBUNE, 8/23). A TAMPA TRIBUNE editorial applauds Glazer for
rejecting an offer made last year by the Maryland Stadium
Authority to move the Bucs to Baltimore: "There is more at stake
[in the tax vote] here than money. Most of Tampa's civic leaders
understand that, and apparently so does the reticent Malcolm
Glazer" (TAMPA TRIBUNE, 8/23).
