A poll of 613 registered voters, conducted by the MIAMI
HERALD and the local NBC affiliate, showed 62.1% oppose using
public money gained from a tourist tax to be spent on
construction of a new arena for the Heat. Only 24.6% favored the
spending, with 13.2% undecided. Voters were asked if public
money should be used to help build the $165M arena planned for
Miami's waterfront. The financing plan includes $95M from the
county's tax on hotel beds. The HERALD's Don Finefrock notes the
numbers, "although not definitive" suggest backers of the arena
"face a tough challenge if the question is put to a November
vote." A petition drive to force a public referendum on the
arena is being led by Miami attorney Dan Paul, who has a goal to
collect 36,000 signatures to place the issue on the ballot.
Arena backers questioned poll results and Knight Ridder Chair,
Tony Ridder, one of the financing plan authors, criticized the
paper for the poll questions, saying they were "slanted toward
opponents." The Herald is owned by Knight-Ridder (MIAMI HERALD,
8/22).
