John Mozena, president of the Center for Economic Accountability (CEA), writes in the Tampa Bay Times: Stadium subsidies are bad deals for communities like St. Petersburg.
In 2019, the CEA launched its "Pay For Your Own Damn Stadiums" campaign, which works to educate residents and taxpayers about the economic realities of stadium subsidy deals in their communities.
Here is what John has to say about the proposed Rays/Hines deal to build a new stadium in St. Petersburg:
"People who stand to profit either financially or politically are using sports fandom and civic pride as tools to try to jam a bad deal down local taxpayers' throat."
"It's not a question of asking people to set their differences aside as much as it is recognizing that their differences have led them to the same place of caring about what's best for the community they share."
St. Petersburg residents are being asked to make a bad deal to keep the Rays.
Pro sports stadiums aren't worth what cities are being asked to pay for them.
They are not worth billions of dollars in subsidies from taxpayers.
Baseball stadiums spend most of their time dark, empty and silent.
Stadiums are not an engine for economic growth - they're mostly black holes in the middle of a neighborhood.
Stadiums create fewer jobs and serve fewer customers than virtually any other form of business.
The money spent at the ballpark comes out of the bottom line of existing local businesses.
Real estate developers across the country are using new stadium subsidies to get their hands on high-value land.
If there is market demand for development, a stadium isn't necessary.
WHAT CAN YOU DO?
We need a fair deal for St. Petersburg - not one that will cost every man, woman and child $6,000. If you agree, let your concerns be known to the pivotal St. Petersburg City Council members whose votes will likely decide our fate. Contact them HERE and we'll be sure that they hear from you ...
