Stadium Bill PASSES!!!!

08-24-2003, 12:50 AM

After some changes to the original bill the Oregon Senate passed SB5

husker · 08-24-2003, 05:17 PM

what were the changes?...anyways....i think its good for pdx not to be a 1 horse town....i would prefer football.....but baseball can work here

fish_on · 08-24-2003, 06:28 PM

Here we go now not only do I have to pay for other peoples kids, now I have to pay for other peoples baseball.

[img]graemlins/berry.gif[/img]

trap50 · 08-24-2003, 06:58 PM

I agree with fish-on. First registration then income tax now this???

skrimmy · 08-24-2003, 07:06 PM

Well, First they said no new income taxes. Then they changed their minds and are trying, if not succeeding in raising our state income taxes. Only for three years though, who's going to believe that statement?

Then they said no to baseball, did another 180 flip flop and passed it too, a day later.

They've been saying the new stadium won't cost tax payers. Jeez, are any of you going to believe that? I don't believe it for a second. Before all is said and done, this baseball thing WILL COST YOU MONEY.

08-24-2003, 07:44 PM

It would be political suicide for the politicians in Salem to vote this in at the cost of the taxpayers.....especially the republicans. So if you guys want to see the "boogie man" :shocked: behind this then go ahead.
I think it's great for Portland! [img]graemlins/applause.gif[/img]
IF Portland is awarded the Montreal franchise. There is no guarantee that Portland will even be awarded the franchise.
Hey husker I'll buy you a hot dog and a beer at a game sometime

Lepper · 08-24-2003, 08:11 PM

Personally I think pretty much all the politicians are making political suicide.. I know i'm voting for some new blood when electiosn come!
d

08-24-2003, 08:29 PM

I have to agree with fish on. I beleive that all of them in Salem would like it best if we just turned over our pay check and the would support us as the feel necessary. That way we all could feel good about ourself's

letsfish · 08-24-2003, 08:50 PM

I think that the political falderall was a waste of time.Portland and the greater Metro area can't /won't support a major league team.Further, it appears it has a one year time limitation for things to get rolling.Somehow I see too many snags in the way. And who will be the guarantee-or of the bonds? Anyone with that much money is too careful with it to invest on a "maybe"( at best) deal.
I think we need to get out of the mentality that we have "graduated" because we have a major league team of our own. We aren't any better or worse off for having a major league basketball team.

True · 08-24-2003, 09:08 PM

It's amazing how quickly this went through, as opposed to the education funding that has taken some time now. Is it a matter of priorities? Maybe I'm just getting my knickers in a twist (that is if I wore knickers).

True

Fish_N_Russ · 08-24-2003, 09:13 PM

No offense to anyone but Portland is not the only place in the state where people live :smile: I do not care about baseball in Portland and should not have to pay for it. Politicians have their priorities way screwed up if you ask me

skrimmy · 08-24-2003, 09:14 PM

Stew, don't you think it's political suicide that they told us during campaign season that there would be no new taxes and now they're pushing them through right under our nose, hoping to do it without we taxpayers even getting a chance to vote on it? Think I'm happy that my tax bill is about to go up hundred of $$ a year? No dang way my friend, I'm not happy 'bout it at all.

They don't have any guarantors for the bond money yet. Zip, NADA. It might not happen 6 months to a year from now, but I'd bet ya it'll happen, they will find a way for taxpayers to foot part of the bill. Is 150 Million even going to cover the full cost? Who's going to pay the difference when it doesn't? You know, like most big dollar projects like that, they ALWAYS run over budget. You'll pay....trust me! We'll all pay.

It's not that I'm against major league baseball, I grew up in a big league city and love baseball. Will Portland support it? I'm betting not enough to keep a team here and profitable. Then what? Who picks up the pieces? Yep, the taxpayers. Stop the madness.

RvW · 08-24-2003, 11:43 PM

Who ever thunk a baseball team would satisfy the social needs of the French-Canadians anyway, Aye?

And why does anyone think Oregonians are not at least as refined in thier tastes for, and standards of... entertainment?
Is someone in Salem thinking this ole Noreastern horse will someday ride again?

Will Baseball work in Oregon?
Not if theres fish in the river, or beaches to comb. Or in a negative light.. trees to be cut, and human-friendly measures to be shot-down (28)

I'll boycott baseball in Oregon for a few simple reasons, its a business that doesnt give anything back to those who PAY to make it happen. (especially if you're not a fan)
Let Paul Allen fund the project, and then troll the probation and parole offices for a team. Heck if you DONT go see the game, chances are your paying his Charter Cable the equivalent of a ticket to watch it on TV anyway.

Our Blazers are Pathetic, I consider Seattle M's my home team, but the cost of a decent ticket for my son and I is much better spent on a dozen quikfish, boxed lunches, camera film and some tuffline. (not to mention the memories are lifelong. Heck the "memory" of a baseball game anymore is how darned expensive it was to see 9 innings with 7 hits, 2 doubleplays, 1 homerun, and 3 guys in front of you puke into thier beer glass)

Keep Oregon green (as in, keep the "green" in my pocket..I earned it!), no Baseball stadium, no baseball franchise. No more traffic to and from Portland to tear up the already poorly conditioned roads.

[ 08-25-2003, 12:50 AM: Message edited by: Row Vs. Wade ]

trap50 · 08-25-2003, 02:24 AM

Is this new team going to be called The Portland Expos? Like the Portland Trail Blazers? Maybe they should change the Statehouse to Portland also! There is more to this great state than Portland. I don't see 1 city area supporting a whole team. If they should come and then go who gets the bill?

Straydog · 08-25-2003, 05:34 AM

I seriously doubt it will be that good for Portland in the long run. I am totally confident it will do virtualy nothing for the rest of the state.

If you believe this will not end up costing the tax payers of this state should it fail, I ask that you take a look at the PERS system that was to be self sustaining and not cost the tax payers, either.

We are currently paying for one huge Legislative fiasco, why should we want to take on another?

pdxkevin · 08-25-2003, 06:33 AM

If the owner can pay the multi-million dollar per year salaries than she/he should front all the money to build the stadium.

If it were a great investment, why aren't all of Portland's big spender already jumping at the chance to built it?

More money will be drawn out of our bank accounts than just construction costs... people tend to forget about the money needed to upgrade the local transportation around the area in cluding public transit access... who will foot the bill when the owner claims a loss in expected revenue?

The biggest slap is that earlier in the same freaken week, they were claiming we are in such a financial crisis that we must pay higher taxes. Practicaly in the same breath they decide.... hey we can spend some money to get a sports team here. Never mind that most teams do not bring more money into a city compared to the money spend to support them...

[ 08-25-2003, 07:36 AM: Message edited by: pdxkevin ]

husker · 08-25-2003, 07:06 AM

i think baseball is great....

stew thanks for the offer....

some will support baseball some wont

i believe the US and oregon were built on choices and this is another choice

trust me i'll still be fishing but some nights a baseball game might be fun....

Gus Orviston · 08-25-2003, 07:45 AM

Where is the thinking on this. We will get nailed for the difference, and then have to pay even more bucks to fill the stadium with other venues so it doesn't look empty all the time.

Roads: Man you can't even drive around in Portland on a weekend anymore without traffic jams popping up everywhere. Meter lights are on during the weekend now as it is. So there comes a huge bill. And of course when it doesn't fill up, it will be because light rail doesn't go to the stadium, so we will need to pay another 25M to fill the empty seats.

I would be for this if Oregon were being managed better by that is clearly not happening and I feel our funding of this will be just like the shell game that just got pulled on us wrt to increased taxes.

If this should make many ask ....Where do I got to get on the petition list to bring the income tax increase to vote?

gus

[ 08-25-2003, 08:46 AM: Message edited by: Gus Orviston ]

lost_sailor · 08-25-2003, 07:51 AM

Oh goodie!

08-25-2003, 08:35 AM

Ain't a done deal yet! Washington DC and Northern Virginia are also biddong for the Expos. They don't have a stadium plan in place so we have to be the front runners

I will probably buy season tickets

BuckisMunz · 08-25-2003, 12:50 PM

Man, I hope it all pans out, and I also home that Portland stands behind whatever happens. This would so cool!!!

reeldick · 08-25-2003, 01:25 PM

From what I have read the public pays nothing for a stadium unless the team goes belly up. Someone has to pay off the bonds.

I'd love to see real baseball in Portland but I don't think Oregon could or would support another pro team. There are very few states as engrossed in their college teams as Oregon. There are only so many dollars to go toward supporting sports of any kind. Oregonians spend theirs going to U of O games and OSU games.

Pro baseball could be good for the entire state. One more entertainment item to bring people in from Washington, Idaho, and maybe even from Montana. Come in for baseball, shopping, a little fishing at the coast with a guide. It could be sold as a vacation package.

Baseball would spark a number of new jobs, too.

OneLastCast · 08-25-2003, 03:43 PM

Never been to a Blazer game and would probably never go to a Baseball game. With that in mind I certainly do not want to pay for it. If it is truly self sufficient (which I find hard to believe) then by all means go for it.

But if we can tax the baseball players to pay for their stadium why can't we tax the kids to pay for their school :smile: ?

TheRogue · 08-25-2003, 05:23 PM

I believe PDX will be able to support a team, but it'll have to be the RIGHT team!! With fan support of the Blazers at an all time low, now is the perfect time for another pro team to slip into the mix. Get some good players, some respected vets, and play some decent baseball. Won't need to go to the playoffs right off the bat to be loved here in PDX, but you'll need to be competitive.

Way to go for the legislature to stick their necks out on this and the roads/bridges funding. Almost makes up for the rest of the insanity that's gone on in Salem.

TR

Adofish · 08-26-2003, 02:27 AM

I do not believe the state should be involved. Baseball is a business. If private money backers do not see the profit in it without the states backing, why should you and I back it? Education spending will do a lot more for Oregon's economic future than a baseball team will. This will not protect my property value. Let's see....Income tax surcharge, one of the highest gas prices, shortest school year, letting criminals out of jail...yeah I want to move my family to Oregon. We live in a paradise here, baseball will not make it better.

[ 08-26-2003, 05:22 AM: Message edited by: Adofish ]

Thumper · 08-26-2003, 04:14 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by TheRogue:
Get some good players, some respected vets, and play some decent baseball.

<font size="2" face="verdana,arial,helvetica">I wonder if Joe Brovia and Eddie Basinski are still available? Maybe Rollie Truett and Bob Blackburn could call the games or read the tape-delay ticker in the little gazebo near the big pools at Jantzen Beach.

Sheesh! 1949. Was it that long ago?

[ 08-26-2003, 11:59 AM: Message edited by: Thumper ]

fish_on · 08-26-2003, 06:16 AM

Quote:

But if we can tax the baseball players to pay for their stadium why can't we tax the kids to pay for their school :smile: ? [/QB]

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