Taxpayers fouled by Sonics debate

Attempting to beat the buzzer, supporters of taxpayer subsidies for the Sonics are making a last ditch effort to convince lawmakers to approve the latest proposal for PUBLIC-private funding of a Key Arena remodel.

While this may be the best PUBLIC-private proposal put forth to date, the only thing that should be considered is a PRIVATE-private partnership. If elected officials are so intent on providing tax dollars to lure and retain sports teams they should limit their efforts to taxes on ticket sales –- a.k.a. a user fee.

As of now, it appears House Speaker Frank Chopp is the most prominent advocate for not using public funds for private sports teams –- a position widely supported by those who favor limiting government taxes and spending to the core functions of government (for the curious this does not include “Saving the Sonics”).

Additional Information
A Decade of Research on Sports Stadiums