Gop Leaders In House Sack Seahawks Plan Opponent Of Stadium Package Says Answer Is Dropping Sports Tax Portion
The Seattle Seahawks’ stadium plan, already facing an uphill fight in the state House, was dealt a setback Friday when three Republican leaders objected to a sports tax proposal and called for lengthy hearings.
Several lobbyists for the opposition suggested that potential Seahawks owner Paul Allen may be forced to use $100 million of his own funds in lieu of a 5 percent wholesale tax on licensed sports logo goods.
The billionaire Microsoft co-founder already is contributing $100 million, including funds he would raise from sale of personal seat licenses.
If the tax is removed as a part of the public portion of financing the $425 million project, much of the opposition will dissolve, said Kathy Savitt, spokeswoman for the Coalition Against Unfair Stadium Taxes.
The group, which includes both small businesses and national powerhouses like Nike, the NBA and Spalding, produced three key House members to underscore their point.
The powerful chairmen of the Appropriations Committee, Tom Huff of Gig Harbor, and the Finance Committee, Brian Thomas of Renton, and the majority whip, Gigi Talcott of Lakewood, all told reporters they can’t support the stadium financing plan as long as the sports tax is part of it.
They were joined by Republican colleagues Marc Boldt of Brush Prairie, Joyce Mulliken of Ephrata and Roger Bush of Spanaway and by Democratic critic Tim Sheldon of Potlatch.
Most of the critics conceded they voted for a funding plan two years ago to build a stadium for the Seattle Mariners baseball club, but said it was more fair. The sports tax would hurt retailers, particularly small businesses, and would nick consumers who don’t want the Seahawks stadium or don’t even like sports, they said.
None closed the door on voting for a Seahawks package if changes are made.
The proposal also includes a King County sales tax credit that would deduct $85 million from the state treasury over 20 years, plus $106 million from new lottery scratch-off games, $47 million from a 10 percent admissions tax at the new stadium and $4 million from a 10 percent stadium parking tax.
“What I am opposed to is the tax package,” Huff said, primarily referring to the sports tax.
Thomas and Talcott said they will resist putting the proposal on a fast track in the House, despite Allen’s insistence that the deadline for a vote is imminent. Allen wants a public vote in early June and notes that election officials say they need about 60 days to get ready.
The current plan is to send the bill next Thursday to the House Capital Facilities Committee, which reviews construction and bonding proposals. That would mean a vote no sooner than late in the week. If changes were made in the Senate proposal, as now seems likely, it would have to go back to the Senate, meaning further delays.
The measure squeaked through the Senate 25-23 on Wednesday.
The Legislature’s 105-day session adjournment is now little more than three weeks away.
House Majority Leader Barbara Lisk, R-Zillah, said the comments of the three influential lawmakers should not be taken as a sign that Republican House members are being pressured to vote against the plan.
“There is no leadership position,” she said in an interview. “It’s every member for himself. If they can show us they have 50 votes lined up (the bare minimum), we will move the bill.”
Football Northwest lobbyist Robin Appleford said the group still has no firm vote count. She did not give any hint that Allen might be willing to kick in more of his personal wealth.
House Minority Leader Marlin Appelwick, D-Seattle, said that despite difficulties there is “an air of inevitability” and that he now predicts a proposal will clear the Legislature and head for a public vote.