Kansas City Tax Fighters Challenge Sketchy Logic Of Stadium Subsidy

In this case . . . The only thing that changes is that we know for certain that lady soccer is NEVER gonna make up the difference and evokes very little civic pride . . . Check the latest word from tax fighters: 

"The city is suffering under a $55 million operating deficit. The mayor pointed out in a 2023 budget letter that 'The demands of a City this size in square miles and infrastructure age far exceed affordable options for residents and available resources.'

What to do? The answer is obvious: dedicate more public tax dollars to private corporations. And not just baseball, but women’s soccer, too!

Kansas City leaders are once again proposing public subsidies for a sports facility. This time, the beneficiary is the Kansas City Current and the continued development of the Berkley Riverfront."

But here's the main argument, or lack thereof, that stands out . . . 

"Supporters of the proposal point to the team’s success. Lucas told Fox4 that Kansas City must position itself for future events such as a potential Women’s World Cup and noted that there are limits to what an 11,500-seat stadium can host. He also emphasized that the proposed financing would not come from the city’s general revenue fund.

"Let’s be careful about that last point. TIF does not create money out of thin air. Without a deal, the Current owners would pay taxes on their development—just like you and me. The proposal is to change that and let them keep that money. Money that we are told the city doesn’t have enough of.

"Perhaps the most revealing thing is that Lucas can’t even be bothered to make a coherent defense of this spending. When asked about public subsidies for the Current, he told Fox4, 'We’ve been through this before with another professional team that plays in Kansas City.'

"We’re giving public money to the Current because we’re giving money to the Royals because we gave money to the Current. That’s his argument."

Read more via www.TonysKansasCity.com link . . .

Show-Me: Kansas City Mayor’s Circular Reasoning on Stadium Subsidies

Developing . . .