House speaker Chopp cold to Sonics plan

OLYMPIA – Just a day after the Seattle SuperSonics proposed a gleaming new $500 million arena for the south Seattle suburb of Renton, the speaker of the state House all but pronounced the plan dead on arrival at the Legislature.

“I’m sorry, but the education of our kids is simply a much higher priority,” Rep. Frank Chopp, D-Seattle, told reporters Wednesday.

Sonics owner Clay Bennett made a personal pitch for the new proposal Tuesday before a Senate committee headed by a sympathetic chairwoman, Margarita Prentice, a Democrat who represents Renton. Gov. Chris Gregoire promised to study the plan, but didn’t offer an immediate endorsement.

For weeks, House and Senate leaders have said their colleagues are disinterested in professional sports venues, such as a Sonics arena or a proposed new NASCAR racetrack near Bremerton.

Chopp offered his strongest criticism yet. He said he wasn’t declaring the plan dead, but took great pains to denounce it as a grab by wealthy businessmen for a playground for the rich.