Might we call it a fake punt?
While the owner of the Miami Dolphins and Sun Life Stadium seems to be putting an earnest effort into a public referendum that would get him $289 million in tourist tax dollars, it’s a known longshot.
So maybe he’s really making a pass for a different kind of score.
Because if the state legislature allows this to go to referendum, Dolphins owner Stephen Ross gets a whopping $90 million right off the, er, bat.
Yes, without a public vote.
And guess what? Those are our public tax dollars. That is our money,.
See? Part of the deal negotiated with and by Miami-Dade Mayor Carlos Gimenez — whose many friends are and fundraisers are working for the Dolphins now (more on that later) and who got more than $50,000 in campaign contributions from the team and Ralph Garcia-Toledo, his bff, who stands a lot to gain from the facility’s upgrade — is that the Dolphins get a $3 million annual tax rebate, in addition to the $2 million one they get already. Over 30 years, that’s $90 million.
And while many believe a pass in Tallahassee is not gonna happen, and State Rep. Carlos Trujillo (R-Doral) has practically promised it is going to be out of bounds, Ladra is pacing.
Because politicians are finicky. And because legislators — most of whom are not from Miami-Dade — could feel somewhat persuaded (read: strong-armed) by the county commission’s early “urging” legislation in January and it’s vote Wednesday to put it on the ballot and the fact that people will already have voted for God’s sake. In fact, watch for the “don’t disenfranchise voters” argument to come up (more on that later).
I mean, there have already been days of phone banking by the stadium supporters.
Add to that the fact that there has been very little organized opposition campaigning and that Dolphins lobbyist Ron Book — who also advocated on behalf of the county in what Ladra can’t believe is not a blatant conflict of interest — is likely working double time to get yes votes (wonder if he gets a commission).
Most people do not realize this: If the legislature passes the buck like the county commission did and approves of the tourist tax increase for the Dolphins, and the public votes down the deal on May 14, Ross may lose on the ballot but still wins at the bank: A $90 million prize. And because that is our money, because those are state tax dollars that comes out of schools and roads and meals and other services, the referendum is just a distraction.
Misdirection at its best.
Ladra can’t help but think that may have been the play all along.
Referendum could be a fake play for a $90 million trophy added by Ladra on
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