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Do you want to help pay to keep the Sonics in Seattle?

Posted by Vince

Jan. 18, 2007 2:36 p.m. • 0 comments

MONEY

The taxpayers in the state of Washington have helped pay for more than a billion dollars in Seattle sports facilities, what with Safeco Field for the M’s and Qwest for the Hawks.

Some of that money came from a hotel, restaurant and rental car taxes that really don’t affect Puget Sound residents much. But they do hit people from Eastern Washington who either have to spend the night in the Seattle area or fly over and rent a car to watch their favorite pro teams.

Now the Sonics want a piece of that tax-supported pie, by earliest reports a $300 million piece.

You are sports fans, or you probably wouldn’t be reading this on-line column. So, I’m asking, is it worth it to you?

People in Eastern Washington will end up paying a disproportionate amount for this arena than their Western Washington counterparts – who can just drive to a game and then drive home – despite being a miniscule part of the Sonics’ fan base.

If you don’t want to pay for the Sonics, they are in trouble, because you’re the voters probably most inclined to support financial help from the state. If you do want to help, they’ve got a shot.

So what do you think? Click the comment button and let me know.