Unofficial Voice of the Utah Senate Majority
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Tuesday, February 06, 2007GOAL! The ReAL Salt Lake Stadium Bill just passed the Senate, 20 to 8. It will travel back down to the House for concurrence with the Senate amendment, then - hopefully - to the Governor's desk for a signature.[Update:] Here's audio of the floor debates. The second "Senate day 23" link is probably the most interesting so far.
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26 Comments:
Congratulations!!!!!
Sense has prevailed. Majority of people blabbering about this in the past had no clue about any underlying issues, and were also being led astray by scheming, devious press.
The only thing that matters in the end is that Mayor Raccoon is an idiot.
Our state has reaped numerous benefits from Real Salt Lake's presence, and many more will surely follow in the future.
Well done Utah Senate! You did the right thing. I am proud of you.
Thank You for having enough sense to see through the crap the media (Channel 2, SL Trib) have been feeding the public. They have so misstated facts that the public doesn't know when they are being told a lie or the truth. Congrats on a wise decision that a coward mayor could not make.
Thank you for doing your part in keeping RSL in Utah!
Well done!
After all the emedia disinformation, it's good to know that our elected officials are acting in our best interests. RSL asked for money for infrastructure and in return wants to invest $100 million that is going to stay here in our community. It's a no brainer. As someone who works in the construction business here in SLC, I must say THANK YOU!
UTAH THINKS BIG!
Thank you for doing the right thing.
Can anyone summarize what amendments were made by senate?
The bill before any amendments already passed in house on Friday.
If the exact nature of senate amendments can be summarized, it will help with predicting if it will pass in amended form in house.
Thanks.
I too would just like to thank you for investing in our future! It is my feeling that the majority of the media has had their own agenda regarding this issue, and it is good to see the fact finally getting some light.
Thank you again for your foresight!
Something tells me that all of these "Anonymous" posts are from the same person. Sorry, my friend, because that we have apparently posted simultaneously, I feel that I need to distance myself from you just a bit. If I do not, I fear people will think that I am you and that I share all of your positions.
While I agree with most of what has been said, I do not agree that the press has been "scheming" or "devious," nor do I agree with calling Mayor Corroon a "raccoon" or an "idiot."
The people in the press are as well-intentioned, and imperfect, as the rest of us--no more, no less.
As for the mayor, I believe that he wanted the stadium, and saw the wisdom of the county helping to build it, but he just lacked the political courage and leadership to get it done.
Hopefully, he will learn from his failure and do better next time, because he really does strike me as being a decent man.
From a very far distance, we --soccer fans in South Texas-- want to say: 'thanks, Utah Legislature'.
You have shown the boldness, courage and political will to fund what it will become one of the best venues for soccer in America.
Salt Lake City and the magnificent State of Utah will reap worldwide advertising whenever the National Team or any elite club visit your new stadium.
Having visited your state many times, we envy --in an understated way, of course-- the exemplary Mormon ethics, the gentleness of your people and the God-given beauty of your incredible scenery.
Congratulations, Governor, Legistlature and people of Utah. You made soccer people proud all over the U.S.
Efren Palacios
South Texas Soccer fan.
I think all of these posts are by Alienated Wannabe--oh, wait, nevermind. AW, I will always have a sour taste in my mouth because I believe this was handled in a less-than-forthright way by Sandy City and Checketts from the beginning. I was not opposed to public funding until I concluded that they were playing games (no pun intended) with us, refusing to admit their funding intentions prior to the election, etc. So I don't think you can lay all the blame on a lack of leadership by Corroon (for those who think this is a good thing).
Could anyone explain to me how funding of a private entertainment business falls within the purview of state government? Where is this type of thing ennumerated in our state constitution? Even if you can discover such a phrase, how does this action promoted limited government?
I'm not against soccer or professional sports. But I don't think my tax Dollars should go toward funding it.
Reach Upward:
I've got great news for you!!! Your tax dollars are not going toward funding it!
Reach Upward: It's a hotel tax. You won't pay a dime, unless you're staying at lots of hotels in the state.
Oh, come on. Considering that the hotel tax would go toward other taxpayer-funded projects, it's a bit weak to say that this does not affect Utah taxpayers. There are plenty of legitimate arguments in favor of the economics, but that one doesn't pass the smell test.
No, it wouldn't have gone to other benefits because it was created specifically for the stadium.
Btw, I have a blogger ID myself, but Anonymous is often quicker.
Voice of Utah, the funds given to RSL would have gone to other TRT-funded projects anyway... to projects that wouldn't have been funded by the taxpayer money to start with.
The taxpayers are not the losers here... some other projects are.
A big thanks from me as well!
I can finally rest from my labors in attempting to educate what seemed like the entire State of Utah on the merits of this deal. I'm glad we have some leaders at the State level with vision!
Is it over though? Is it over?
The house has to approve "amended" version (they already passed original version on Friday) correct?
And then Dave Checketts has to actually announce that he has accepted it. None of this has happened yet. Knowing how this whole thing has gone, I wouldn't be shocked if it still falls apart.
Dear Voice of Utah,
What a coincidence! I immediately suspected you of being "Anonymous." Oh, well, there goes my cherished conspiracy theory of you secretly talking out of both sides of your mouth just to keep things interesting. (Darned consistent Democrat!)
As for Mayor Corroon, you may be right. It is possible that I am being too hard on the guy. Maybe if I knew more about all that went on behind the scenes I would go easier on him. But, because I honestly do not know anything about a dark and secret plot, I am left to judge the situation by what I have seen and heard.
One clue for me that the Mayor was trying to play it both ways on the stadium deal (talking out of both sides of his mouth) is when even Joe Hatch took a shot at him in public. Before that, Democrat County Councilman Joe Hatch had been the most loyal Peter Corroon supporter I had ever heard. But, after so many flip flops, even Hatch was beginning to publicly wonder where Corroon was coming from.
I think that Peter found himself caught between actually wanting to get the stadium deal done, but also wanting to maintain his newly found political clout as the darling of the "no funds for you" crowd. (A Merrill Cook wannabe?)
But, once the review committee came back with a vote of no confidence, he lost his political cover. He, then, lacked the courage to do what he knew in his heart was right for the community. Or, so I allege.
Most likely my criticism is really caused by some residual resentment I feel toward him for coming out of nowhere to beat my beloved Ellis Ivory. I still can't believe that happened! (Darned likable Democrats!)
It's always fun to hear from you, my friend.
Sincerely,
Alienated Wannabe
There seems to be some confusion regarding the Hotel Tax. Many people still seem to think that it is either their tax dollars, going to fund a private entity, or it is taking money from other projects (such as Trax, schools, rec centers, etc).
Here is what Governor Huntsman said about the Hotel Tax, "The transient room tax (TRT) is placed on hotel rooms and rental cars, paid by visitors to Salt Lake County and used to help fund tourist-related resources and facilities. This plan uses just 15 percent of that tax, while the rest is dedicated to other Salt Lake County projects."
With that in mind, it is easy to see that RSL is a tourist related resource, and the stadium will be a tourist related facility. If you have questions regarding the team or stadium as "tourist related", just think about the Real Madrid game last summer. It is inconceivable to think that only people from Utah attended that game. If my mind serves me correctly, that game saw visitors from 48 states and about a dozen countries. These tourists poured millions into the economy during their stay. this is just one instance. Let's also not forget the US National team game, or RSL's various matches against Mexican and other Central American and Carribbean teams, or their upcoming game against the Fiji National Team. Also, Real Madrid had an agreement to return for a match every two years. Every one of these games will draw tourists from out of state, boosting our economy with their dollars, and essentially replenishing the Transient Room Tax that paid for the stadium with their rental cars and hotel stays.
The hotel tax being spent on the stadium is being used for the sole purpose it was created for.
Dear Reach Upward,
I have tremendous respect for you. And, I think I understand your position. My roots are also in the conservative wing of our party, so I see you as being a kindred spirit.
In the limited time I have here, I will try to supply an answer to your question:
I am a Republican, not a Libertarian, for a good reason. Just as I do not believe in the "maximum" government of the Socialists and Democrats, I do not believe in the "minimum" government of the Anarchists and Libertarians either. Rather, I believe in the "optimum" government of the Republicans.
For me, that is what the divinely inspired Constitution is all about--finding that right balance. As you remember, the original government of the United States, the Articles of Confederation, was too weak. It didn't work. The founding fathers replaced it with one that gave more power to a central government--they recognized the need for balance, "optimum" rather than "minimum."
Too many of my fellow Conservative Republicans fail to seek this same balance. They start idealizing "minimum" government as if they were Libertarians instead of Republicans.
No one understood the need of limited government more than Thomas Jefferson, but he also understood this principle of balance. He further understood that "limited" is a different concept entirely than "minimum." And, because of that, he was able to act in his country's best interest at a crucial moment in history.
When France offered to sell the Louisiana Territory to the United States, Jefferson wisely jumped at the opportunity, even though doing so seemed to require that he use authority not explicitly granted to him in the Constitution.
Thank goodness he had the intelligence to do what he did! His actions have proven themselves over time to have been a tremendous blessing to our nation. Indeed, one wonders how dangerously handicapped and stunted our country would have been if he had not the vision and wisdom to do the right thing instead of the simple thing.
Too often we conservative political junkies fall into the trap of being intellectually lazy. We gravitate toward a simple direction, right, instead of toward actually doing the "right" thing.
I have learned in my life that doing the "right" thing requires balance--effort and judgment. Following a simple direction requires no effort and no judgment, we simply turn off our brain and say either "more government programs!" (left), or "less government programs!" (right)
In the past, some who have famously fallen into a similar trap have declared such things as "It is wrong to heal on the Sabbath!" These folks couldn't get past the direction of following the letter of the law, so they failed to understand the balance of the spirit of the law.
The spirit of our national and state constitutions is to provide for the common good. As a conservative Reagan Republican, I believe that often requires government to get off the backs of the people, so that their creative energies can be unleashed. But, sometimes it means that the government needs to step in, as appropriate, to build such things as the Eerie Canal--all for the common good.
For me, Real Salt Lake's stadium falls into this category. I am convinced that it will produce benefits for our state that are just as vital to the common good as schools and highways. That is why I enthusiastically support the state chipping in a small portion to help make it a reality.
I hope this, in some way, does justice to your excellent question.
Sincerely,
Alienated Wannabe
I have to assume that Alienated Wannabe's comparison of the Erie Canal and the Louisiana Purchase with Real Salt Lake is pure satire. Buddha, I hope so.
Dear Anonymous,
Please don't be so presumptuous, my mysterious unidentified mocking friend. And, please refrain from taking the name of the Buddha in vain. That's just not right.
I was using the Louisiana Purchase and the construction of the Eerie Canal as examples of early controversial government action--taken by our founding fathers--that established precedents that have EVERYTHING to do with our state now chipping-in a small portion of the funds necessary to build a stadium in Sandy. The principle, if not the magnitude, is the same. (I could have given countless other examples, but I doubt any of those would have persuaded you either.)
I have blabbed extensively about how building this stadium is in the common interest of our state on Ethan Millard's SLCSPIN blog. Please forgive me, Anonymous, but I am afraid that I just do not have the time, nor the patience, to regurgitate all of those same arguments again here just for you. (Besides, Ric would probably not appreciate me hogging all of his bandwidth.)
Further, I am satisfied that enough of our leaders "get it," so I don't have to lose any more sleep over it. And, I am content that it may actually be for the best that you do NOT get it, just for the sake of balance. So, keep on NOT getting it, my friend. You're doing a great job!
I love you, even though you are mean and naughty, and very likely going to Hell. (Pure Satire? Yes, except the "I love you" part.)
Sincerely,
Alienated Wannabe
Please, please, please, oh pleaaaaaaaze vote YES for the stadium in the House today!!!
You know it's going to happen, but with Utah politics, you never know till you know.
YES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
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