Tuesday, May 04, 2004
Twins Stadium Bill Passes First Legislative Hurdle
The House Taxes Committee approved the bill by a 15-13 vote, the narrowest possible margin. Before it passed, the bill was amended in two ways the Twins won't like: to require a referendum on any local taxes imposed as part of the deal, and to condition the Twins' money on a resolution of their dispute with local cable operators which has kept the club's new Victory Sports network off most cable systems.
The AP report notes: "A telling pattern emerged with the vote: No lawmakers from communities competing for the stadiums supported the bill while rural members tended to back it."
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The House Taxes Committee approved the bill by a 15-13 vote, the narrowest possible margin. Before it passed, the bill was amended in two ways the Twins won't like: to require a referendum on any local taxes imposed as part of the deal, and to condition the Twins' money on a resolution of their dispute with local cable operators which has kept the club's new Victory Sports network off most cable systems.
The AP report notes: "A telling pattern emerged with the vote: No lawmakers from communities competing for the stadiums supported the bill while rural members tended to back it."
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