The truth is, the 180 million is money that is taxed from hotels and motels specifically to provide funds to keep the stadium in good working order. It is for a maintenance budget for the building which the county owns, and the team leases. I personally voted against building a stadium with public money, but to divert the funds for homelessness is insane. The City of Seattle caused the housing crisis by spending 100 million last year for the homeless, for 11,000 people. This year they are spending 200 million. If they take the stadium dedicated tax funds, they will be spending 300 million for 11,000 people.
“The truth is, the 180 million is money that is taxed from hotels and motels specifically to provide funds to keep the stadium in good working order.”
If that’s a true statement, it’s even more outrageous as I originally thought. Taxpayers build a stadium for a private enterprise, then arrange for a room/restaurant tax (a tax on out-of-towners) to keep the stadium in good repair.
But Seattle isn’t alone. This is just another shining example of how a government “rounds up” some “other people’s money” to pay for their toys. Always take the money from people who have no leverage to say no!
Ah, the ol bait and switch!