ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1996, Roanoke Times
DATE: Wednesday, May 15, 1996 TAG: 9605150041
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: B-1 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: JACK BOGACZYK
Gov. George Allen is in Japan on a trade mission, and perhaps before he returns to Virginia, his hosts in the Land of the Rising Fastball can teach the former quarterback an appreciation for the national pastime - theirs and ours.
Allen may have auctioned the state yacht a few months ago, but he's firing broadsides up the Potomac at the bid to lure a major-league baseball franchise. Allen has told potential buyers of the Houston Astros or another club that he will not support a tax increase, even on a regional basis, to fund a ballpark.
Read George's lips: Hideo Nomo Taxes.
Never mind that Allen's statement may be as shortsighted as a sacrifice bunt. Maybe he won't support a tax increase, but from all indications at public hearings, the D.C. region wants the big leagues back after an absence of a quarter-century. The prospective Virginia franchise owners never thought a state tax would fly; a regional concept seems workable, and still may be so.
There are other ways to come up with the $16 million needed annually to retire the debt on a $250 million stadium. However, those concepts, without assurances that the potential funding is backed by state funding security, may not be enough to sway major-league owners to approve the first franchise move since the Senators left Washington for Texas in 1971.
Allen may be saying what's politically correct, but he's clearly in deep left field compared to politicos in other states and cities on major-league sports. In Wisconsin, Tennessee, Texas, Connecticut, Ohio, Maryland and elsewhere, state and city officials not only are backing public financing for sports facilities, but also letting the public have its say in the debate.
Baseball's bigwigs look at the bid by telecommunications executive William Collins as pretty much a done deal in every other way. Then they hear Allen rallying anything but support and begin to wonder. Were it not for the Nazi notions of Marge Schott, who may next be playing the Alicia Silverstone role in the sequel to ``Clueless,'' Allen's recent posturing probably would have brought more raised eyebrows among the Lords of the Big Flies.
Maybe a sports lottery will be the financing vehicle. Yes, that's what Maryland used to build Camden Yards and will add to that next door with the NFL Ravens' new stadium. However, the Maryland lottery was backed by state assurances that should the gamble fail, the state would back up any shortfall. Considering Allen's position, that might not fly in Virginia.
Lacking leadership on the big pitch from the governor's office, the pressure is on the Joint Legislative Subcommittee on Stadium Financing to come up with a plan that will appease enough constituents and entice the major-league owners. Can it be done without sales tax as a base?
It's likely the stadium subcommittee and Collins group will be looking down I-81 to find out. Del. Dick Cranwell, D-Vinton, may not have a title on the ballpark committee, but he's often the answer man on subjects of state financing - and may have to be again.
There's another point for consideration on Allen's view on a sales tax increase, and it involves more geography than Arlington or Fairfax County, the sites most likely to get a new ballpark. Allen's opinion could set a precedent.
If Northern Virginia can't use a regional sales tax increase for major-league baseball, then can Norfolk expect public funding to be approved to build a 20,000-seat arena that is in the talking stages? How will Richmond build a new coliseum that will be needed not too far in the future? This is a larger issue than the major leagues.
The Collins group and the legislative subcommittee are scheduled to meet Monday in Richmond. The deadline for a financing plan is July 1. The Astros could be available by the All-Star break. The need for leadership and at least the basis for a financing plan have reached the seventh-inning stretch.
Allen has made it clear where he stands on what suddenly has become a taxing issue. The transplanted Astros or whoevers are likely to be named the Virginia Fury. And if Allen's lack of support makes this baseball politically impossible to fly, a different fury will be exactly what will tax the governor.
LENGTH: Medium: 85 linesby CNB