S.20.3-14: Sports Venue Reform Act (Law'd)

[tmthforu94]

Sports Venue Reform Act

1. The Southern Government shall no longer subsidize the construction of venues whose purposes are to host professional sports games.
2. This act shall take effect January 1, 2020 and does not apply to any current agreements that have been made.

Sponsor: Tmthforu94

Minimum 48 hours for debate.

[tmthforu94]

Another bill passed pre-reset that I don't believe has been adopted recently. Kudos to the initial author, Maxwell. Initial bill here: https://talkelections.org/AFEWIKI/index.php/IDS_Sports_Venue_Reform

This is almost the same wording, I did add Clause 2 because I think it is important (and also to avoid litigation) to keep all current contracts. There was also a federal version of this pre-reset, I'm not sure if it is still adopted. Cities may still opt to do it by a citizen vote, but no regional funding should go towards these projects and should be instead used for smarter economic investments. There has been little evidence showing that the economic benefits of these stadiums outweigh the cost of the subsidies.

[tmthforu94]

Any thoughts, positive or negative? This is pretty straight-forward. If not, I'll be calling for a final vote tomorrow.

[Deep Dixieland Senator, Muad'dib (OSR MSR)]

Any thoughts, positive or negative? This is pretty straight-forward. If not, I'll be calling for a final vote tomorrow.

Disappointing that no delegates have any comments on this.

[diptheriadan]

Any thoughts, positive or negative? This is pretty straight-forward. If not, I'll be calling for a final vote tomorrow.

Disappointing that no delegates have any comments on this.

It is very hard to reconcile the fact that an action that hurts the sports industry is also good for our regional economic health.

I will vote AYE on the bill as is.

[thumb21]

I do think there is value in investing in something that does hold cultural significance in an area even if it isn't the smartest economic investment. That said, I tend to agree that there are better ways to spend the money, especially at this time. I'll probably vote for it.

[tmthforu94]

I am calling for a final vote, 24 hours for objections.

[tmthforu94]

A final vote has now started, please vote AYE, NAY or ABSTAIN.


Aye

[Holy Unifying Centrist]

Nay. Sports venues bring character to the South and are extremely expensive to build. Small subsidies here and there are fine on a case-by-case basis.

[tmthforu94]

Just to restate, this does not prohibit subsidies in general, cities and local municipalities are still free to make that decision. This only limits them coming from the regional government.

[diptheriadan]

AYE. We can repeal this after the pandemic/recession.

[President Punxsutawney Phil]

This is a hard one for me.
I don't think I can get behind the thought the regional government categorically can't subsidize stadiums and such, but at the same time it's a mild measure. It's also true this could be repealed later, though the merits of taking such a temporary action don't really seem to be all that worth it.
I guess by a slight token I know how I'm voting.
Nay.

[reagente]

Nay

[tmthforu94]

Due to a vacancy in the Chamber, this has enough votes to fail. Delegates have 24 hours to change their votes.


I must say, I am disappointed by this. Not because it is failing, but because none of the Nay votes bothered to say anything prior to the vote beginning. Perhaps an amendment could have been offered to address some of the concerns, I would have been happy to work with any of you on this if I had known there were issues. This is something I would have expected from the last Chamber, but not this one, our first instance of Lazy Legislating! this session. Several delegates are running for Governor - this helps bring clarity for me on that race.

[thumb21]

Aye

[GM Team Member and Senator WB]

Aye.

[tmthforu94]

Well, with WB's vote, this bill has passed and will be presented to the Governor for signature.

[President Punxsutawney Phil]

Due to a vacancy in the Chamber, this has enough votes to fail. Delegates have 24 hours to change their votes.


I must say, I am disappointed by this. Not because it is failing, but because none of the Nay votes bothered to say anything prior to the vote beginning. Perhaps an amendment could have been offered to address some of the concerns, I would have been happy to work with any of you on this if I had known there were issues. This is something I would have expected from the last Chamber, but not this one, our first instance of Lazy Legislating! this session. Several delegates are running for Governor - this helps bring clarity for me on that race.

The final vote coming along caught me a bit off guard and I really didn't know what to feel about the legislation. I was forced to make an opinion on the spot as to whether to vote Aye or Nay, and this wasn't helped by the fact I felt so indecisive about it. I agree this happening is a failing on part of not just me but also others in the chamber. We ought to do better than this.
Would a gubernatorial veto help the measure be amended?