Should cash-strapped states and cities, facing billions in unfunded obligations and deteriorating government services, fund lavish sports arenas? Advocates – mostly billionaires who want taxpayers to pay for these stadiums – have long touted the economic benefits of having city hall or state legislatures fund all or most of these buildings housing baseball, basketball, football, or hockey events. Critics have repeatedly rejected these pleas from affluent owners, arguing that politicians should fund essential services instead, not sports. Who’s right? It appears that the public is siding with the naysayers – and with just cause.
No Tax Dollars for Sports Arenas
Will the Kansas City Royals and the Kansas City Chiefs skip town? After more than half (58%) of voters rejected a sales tax measure this past spring that would have supported funding a new…
