Some Of State’s Top Lobbyists Go To Work To Get Lawmakers Behind Mariners’ Park

Some of the capital’s most skilled lobbyists signed on Monday to help persuade lawmakers to finance a new Mariners stadium - and they’re doing it for free.

Former top Boeing lobbyist Bud Coffey counted himself and the likes of insurance heavyweight Basil Badley, former House Speaker Wayne Ehlers and contract lobbyist Becky Bogard among the 13-member team lobbying for baseball.

Coffey released the list as Gov. Lowry and legislative leaders looked over a draft of a proposal to be presented to the four legislative caucuses today or Wednesday. Lowry has said he will call a special session for Thursday to act on a plan if he thinks there’s a chance it will pass.

Though still under wraps, the plan could involve more than $120 million in state spending and an equal amount from King County. M’s management would throw in $45 million.

The state’s share could be financed with bonds, a portion of a $700 million budget surplus or a combination of the two, with an understanding the debt would be retired using revenue that would be lost if the Mariners left Seattle.

King County’s share likely would come from a 1 percent tax on bar and restaurant tabs, a 2 percent rental-car tax and a 5 percent tax on admissions to events in the Kingdome and the proposed new baseball park.

Coffey conceded the volunteer lobbying team has a tough row to hoe.

“It’s a tough sell,” he said. “If I were a Legislator from Eastern Washington, and not a baseball fan and a fairly conservative guy, I’d have a tough time.”

Also Monday, Home Town Fans, an organization of stadium backers, released a poll that showed a narrow majority of citizens statewide support government financing for the stadium if they’re first told that the Mariners have a positive impact on business.