Arlington (WBAP/KLIF News) – Over the next two weeks, voters in Arlington will decide whether to shift taxes from AT&T Stadium to a project that would pay for part of a new ballpark for the Rangers.
Right now, Arlington is using a half cent sales tax, two percent hotel tax and five percent rental car tax to pay off part of AT&T Stadium. The city expects to pay its share earlier than scheduled, so the money would then be shifted to a new ballpark for the Rangers.
“It’s not a gift to anybody,” says Arlington Chamber of Commerce Chief Executive Michael Jacobson. “It’s an investment together in Arlington. I’m happy to invest with billionaires; if billionaires want to invest in Arlington, our doors are open for them.”
Opponents have questioned slogans that read, “No new taxes.” The slogan was approved by the state, but Warren Norred, with the group, “Save our Stadium,” says the entire city would have to pay for a ballpark that would benefit few people.
“We did not vote 12 years ago on an unending stadium sales tax or a half cent sales tax forever,” Norred says.
Norred says no other city has organized an attempt to lure the Rangers.
“That kind of threat has to be supported by facts, and the facts don’t support that,” he says.
Jacobson rejects claims that extending the taxes would benefit a small part of the city. He says small businesses have overwhelmingly supported the deal.
“Because of that impact they have on a dry cleaner, a restaurant, a bar, you can go across the spectrum of business and see the Rangers are an economic engine that help grow the economy,” he says.
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