1. This isn't a boondoggle.

I think its a worthwhile public project and would be good for the region.

Posted by: John Bailo on February 16, 2007 11:31 AM

2. If it weren't for facts, this project would be moving forward. Damn those facts! Who does Frank Chopp think he is anyway?

Seattle will remember him, and that contrary Gregiore as well, when the next election comes!

Well, maybe. Perhaps they will vote green - and help the rest of state elect a better government.

Posted by: deadwood on February 16, 2007 11:59 AM

3. Where is the Republican leadership on this issue?
Lack of leadership in areas like this is the reason Republicans keep on losing elections.

Posted by: M&M on February 16, 2007 12:05 PM

4. John, these sports handouts quit becoming a public project when the normal person quit being able to afford to go to the "public" facility. It quit being a public project when sports became a multi-billion dollar industry that continues to ask for handouts.

Posted by: swatter on February 16, 2007 12:14 PM

5. Democrats taking the lead on this item ? What say you; WSRP and new party chairman ? If you guys want to fare better in the next election, you might want to consider speaking out on this issue very soon !

Posted by: KS on February 16, 2007 12:32 PM

6. Is, this is going to end up a Rep. Frank Chop vs. the Queen of Renton, Sen. Prentice?

Posted by: Pacific Grove Phlash on February 16, 2007 01:04 PM

7. #5 Speak out and say what? We agree? The me too strategy has never and will never work in politics. I don't think you are going to find a vast majority of voters who disagree with the Democrats nixing public funding of that arena, so a contrary position won't help them either.

The underlying issue is that NBA economics don't work. There are teams like the Miami Heat who got the public to build them a brand new facility when they had one already that was less than 10 years old, they sign Shaq, got Dwayne Wade, won the NBA title, and are STILL losing money.

Bennett may find some generous politicians in OKC willing to build him a new facility, but once the afterglow of the new team and facility has worn off, he and his group of merry men will be in the same position as many of the other owners in the league.

Posted by: Palouse on February 16, 2007 01:08 PM

8. Where are the Republicans? Their (lack of) influence is so bad in Olympia, they couldnt even get laid in a women's prison with a fistful of pardons

Posted by: JAC on February 16, 2007 01:42 PM

9. Good one JAC!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

This current bunch of R's is helpless,hopeless and comical. Where are the Republicans I supported when I first came to this state and Dan Eveans was in charge?

Posted by: Rocketdog on February 16, 2007 01:55 PM

10. Ditto on the R's comments. I know the MSM is pretty much leftist to its soul, but when was the last time you heard ANYTHING from the R's on any topic during this legisaltive session. I understand their numbers are thin, but if they keep this up they will extinct.

Posted by: BornRight on February 16, 2007 02:03 PM

11. Didn't you all hear, these are taxes we all pay willingly!! What's the big deal with just keeping them around forever and keep building new stadiums on demand?

It's not as if they were all just dumped on us by the state legislature after we turned down a stadium by popular vote.....wait a second......

Posted by: H Moul on February 16, 2007 02:04 PM

12. Stefan has done a good job the last couple of weeks outlining the beginnings of a grassroots effort by Rs to take the State. Where have you guys been to hammer on them so much?

I must admit the Rs have been quiet, but frankly, like Stefan, I think Chopp is living up to his name and I am grateful.

Don't bring Little Miss Flipflop into this conversation. If Chopp wanted, she would be on the side of the Sonics new stadium on taxpayer dollar. But, kudos to Mr. Chopp. Hopefully, he hangs tough on the viaduct and other boondoggle issues.

Posted by: swatter on February 16, 2007 02:56 PM

13. Typical Seattle/Westside politics. All the other teams get preferential treatment with land, buildings, and tax revenue, but the Sonics are leaving Seattle, and lo and behold it's time now to not line the pockets of the pro sports folks. More a stab at Oklahoman's than fancy. Hmmmm, a losing season, out of state owners, leaving the Emerald City, equals recipe for turndown. I say, what the heck, it's not fair for the Sonics not to get their day. Welfare suits their needs, this year, perfectly. Plus, Renton needs the tax revenue. GO RENTON!

Posted by: fRed on February 16, 2007 04:45 PM

14. I think the whining about the Republicans in the state legislature is uncalled for. They are doing a pretty good job of speaking out on what is going down in Olympia.

If you want to scream at someone try the MSM, who have done their usual stellar job of reporting everything through pink tinted lenses.

Gotta love the back-biting among the supermajority though. The adults want to stay there and are doing their damnest to keep a lid on the far left.

So far they are having only limited success. Keeping government bloat to only a 20% growth rate looks like a losing battle for Chopp and Gregoire. As nasty as it looks in the short term for us as taxpayers, in the longer term (think 2008) this can only be viewed as good news.

Posted by: deadwood on February 16, 2007 05:00 PM

15. Republican here: Quite simply, if the economic benefit is greater than the cost, then it is worthwhile. A large input output analysis with locational economics and economic multiplier effects calculated can determine whether or not to support it. Or we can all be irrational like I assume most democrats are and vote by touchy feely things.

Do you really think Chopp is going to put those hundreds of millions of dollars into education? Only if it goes to the teachers union so he can get his votes.

Heck, if it costs a billion dollars in order to make a billion and a half, do you think any business would pass up that deal? The legislature should know the costs and the benefits before making a decision, DOA - I have no respect for that man.

Posted by: Doug on February 16, 2007 05:19 PM

16. I think it's pretty obvious that some trolls are the ones chiding the Rs for not "speaking out" on this. Nobody is in favor of this thing except for Prentice , from whom I've heard no real justification for her position, and the team's owners. Sure, the Rs could say "we also think it's DOA, even though we have no power to stop it in any event." I don't see how failing to make such a statement is a problem.

Posted by: Damian on February 16, 2007 05:53 PM

17. If they Progressives want to end global warming, put an end to the NBA. The number of illegitimate kids the players have would populate a third world country. (Not counting the giant SUV's every player drives while their boom box sound systems destroy our ozone layer from too much bass.) Tax the players if they want a new stadium and use our hard earned dollars to build another $170,000,000 dollar library/flop house for the crackheads.

Posted by: Walters on February 16, 2007 06:11 PM

18. The Republicans should speak out about this issue because it will resonate with the voters. They are so far behind the 8-ball in this state, they need to make a loud noise and be noticed by the voters.

They need to cover their bases. What is wrong with that ?

Posted by: KS on February 16, 2007 06:21 PM

19. When politicians start to deny something it is time to hide your wallet.

A rough translation of Chopp's statement is... "So far the owners have not given me enough money, trips, drinks, dinners, cars, boats or hookers."

Posted by: Huey on February 16, 2007 06:31 PM

20. You Republicans should love this bit of corporate welfare. The business partner of the new Sonics owner gave a half mil to the Swift Boat liars.

Posted by: Jim on February 16, 2007 06:50 PM

21. The Republicans had better speak out about this issue and not projecting the image of wanting to promote corporate welfare, largely because of people like Jim. He and his ilk represent the masses in this state who have been dumbed down by allowing themselves to be indoctrinated by the MSM (mainstream media) for years.

Posted by: KS on February 16, 2007 07:14 PM

22. Gee, Jim... you still upset they outed your coward?

Tsk, tsk.

Posted by: Hinton on February 16, 2007 07:25 PM

23. Walters:

Are you Doc-T and Kettle?

Posted by: WVH on February 16, 2007 07:26 PM

24. "Where are the Republicans? Their (lack of) influence is so bad in Olympia, they couldnt even get laid in a women's prison with a fistful of pardons Posted by JAC "

Ha. That's a real knee-slapper there, JAC. Exactly how much influence do you expect the Republicans to have with 35 members in the House and 17 in the Senate? They can make some noise, and cause some trouble from time to time, but influence? Be serious. There'll be no influence until they win back some seats. Instead of boring us with lame jokes, maybe you could help in that a little. Far more constructive.

Posted by: ram on February 16, 2007 10:13 PM

25. You already know it will happen. What King County wants King County gets.

Too bad King County does not want a Nascar track.

Posted by: Vince on February 17, 2007 09:36 AM

26. I will wait to pass judgement until the the Sonics leave town. We have a Democrat party with a history of "emergency" legislating taxes to subsidize millionaire sports teams. Let's just say the alcoholic passed up his first drink. It doesn't mean the rest of the boozers will do the same. Democrat's chronic tax addiction is not something they will ever lose.

Posted by: pbj on February 17, 2007 02:58 PM

27. This exercise has to begin with the fact that these folks are hell bent to move the team to Oklahoma. They have nothing to lose because they do not want to be here anyway.

Their offer to have the Taxpayers foot 4/5's of the bill without even having a vote, along with giving all the revenues to the team, is and should be DOA. And they Knew it!

Sonics, don't let the door hit you in the ass.

Our pocketbooks are being emptied by this state legislature at an already record pace, so a Great Big "No Thanks" to you!

Welcome Oklahoma City Sonics.

I hope you enjoy the trip

Posted by: GS on February 17, 2007 06:22 PM

28. Stephan,

Were you one of the guys that got picked last in a game of pick-up football or basketball. King county won't be paying for the center, the people of the state will be, mostly the tourists. Its pretty short sighted to flush 40 years of culture down the toilet.

The state will vote to continue the current tax for the construction of the Renton center.

Posted by: John Wagnon on February 18, 2007 07:21 PM

29. Hey, JW, what if I don't want to sell my property in Renton? What are you going to do then? Condemn it? A new article recently said the owner of that property were not motivated to sell it to OKC.

A recent article said the legislators were lining up for the Sonic arena as well as NASCAR. And the Snohomish County folks, who need a four year college are whining, "Education or Sports?"

Looks like the beginning of another food fight between the Democrats. Gotta love Mary Margaret Haugen on Stanwood.

Posted by: swatter on February 19, 2007 06:45 AM

30. I live in Snohomish county. All transit throughout the region has a destination to a campus branch. Apparently, the property in Renton is on Boeing property that is being negotiated for purchase. The new facility is for us, not the players or owners. As far as education goes, I'm for giving all K-12 students a voucher for 6000 per year and letting them choose a school. Then close or consolidate all of the losing schools. Get rid of all of the bad teachers while giving raises for performance to the good ones.

Posted by: John Wagnon on February 19, 2007 11:41 AM

31. Where you been man? This is a college we are talking about. The sports arena is not for me because I can't afford to go there. Neither can my friends. Ergo, this is not for the people.

The TV article mentioned someone other than Boeing as the owner and they wanted to put a megamall, etc. there.

So, as a Snohomish County resident, what do you want- two sports facilities or a four year college so our kids can go to school and we don't have to send technology jobs elsewhere? We are going to spend the money, so where do you want it to go? Easy choice for me.

Posted by: swatter on February 19, 2007 01:00 PM

32. Easy choice for me too. Put the money towards higher ed. Open up some more spots at the two major in-state universities as well. $300mil will go a long way towards that.

Posted by: Palouse on February 19, 2007 03:50 PM

33. If you email Mary Margaret Haugen don't expect the decency of an answer, you won't get one.

My property taxes on Camano Island have gone up 33% per year since 1976.

I emailed her after they massively raised the property values this year, and heard nothing back.

Posted by: GS on February 21, 2007 06:46 PM

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