Stadium Backers, Foes Take War Of Words To Court Opponents Want Reference To Kingdome Demolition; Supporters Want Voters To Know Of Project’s Use For Soccer
Both sides in the coming public vote over funding for a new Seattle Seahawks football stadium want to amend the ballot measure to insert their own wording, and both are expected to slug it out Monday in court.
The struggle is not expected to delay the scheduled June 17 statewide vote on the proposal.
A ballot title can be crucial given that it offers the last, and often the only word to voters about the content of the measure they are voting on.
Opponents last Friday filed a petition in Thurston County Superior Court seeking to change the ballot title to show that the $425 million funding package would include demolition of the Kingdome.
Then late Monday, backers filed a petition seeking a title change to reflect that the stadium also would be used for soccer. They also want to change the measure’s explanatory statement to correct what backers say are numerous errors or misleading statements.
The petitions are expected to be heard as part of the court’s regular Monday motion calendar. A judge has not been named to hear the issue.
The current ballot title and explanatory statement were drafted by the state attorney general’s office and released by Secretary of State Ralph Munro.
The title says: “Shall a public stadium authority be authorized to build and operate a professional football stadium and exhibition hall financed by tax revenues and private contributions?”
The citizens group, Citizens for Leaders with Ethics and Accountability Now, wants the court to approve a new ballot title that would read: “Shall voters approve issuing $300 million in taxpayer bonds to build a professional football stadium and exhibition center which includes demolishing the Kingdome?”
CLEAN argues that the title doesn’t accurately describe the measure’s contents, in violation of state law, adding that voters should know that part of the cost will be to tear down a facility with $130 million in debt to make way for a new stadium.
Football Northwest, led by Microsoft billionaire Paul Allen, wants the court to approve a new ballot title that would say: “Shall a public stadium authority be authorized to build and operate a professional football/soccer stadium and exhibition center financed by tax revenues and private contributions?”
The backers assert that “Under the legislation, the new multipurpose stadium and exhibition center must be suitable for soccer as well as professional football,” and the requirement must be reflected in the ballot title.
The backers also are seeking revision of the measure’s explanatory statement contained in a voter’s pamphlet to be mailed out to voters.
In documents filed with the court, the backers contend, for example, that “The proposed explanatory statement does not make it clear that residents of King County (or any other county) will pay no additional sales or use taxes as a result of the legislation.”
The statement also fails to make clear that “the total public contribution for construction of the new multipurpose stadium and exhibition center is capped at $300 million,” or that the builders “must comply with prevailing wage requirements and hiring goals for minority and women businesses,” Football Northwest contends.