Capitol Roundup: Diamondbacks ballpark funding bill gets bipartisan support

Democrats and Republicans found common ground at the ballpark after a bipartisan vote on legislation that would allow the Arizona Diamondbacks to fund Chase Field renovations with team-generated tax revenue.

State of play: The House Commerce Committee OK'd a bill sponsored by Rep. Jeff Weninger (R-Chandler) that would allow the team to pay for repairs, maintenance and improvements with sales taxes from transactions at the ballpark and income taxes from its employees.

• The Diamondbacks estimate the bill will bring in $15 million to $20 million annually, and the team has said it'll pay for up to $300 million in repairs.
• An amendment on Tuesday added a clawback provision that would require the Diamondbacks to pay a $10 million penalty if they leave Arizona before 2035, $5 million before 2045 and $1 million before 2050.
• The bill passed 8-1, though three lawmakers said they could change positions if certain changes aren't made.

Why it matters: Managing partner Ken Kendrick last year said the Diamondbacks may "run out of time in Phoenix" without public funding for ballpark upkeep.

What they're saying: "What other public asset would we just let deteriorate and go down the tubes?" Weninger asked. "Especially one that has a revenue-generating juggernaut attached to it."

What's next: The bill now goes to the full House.

• The City of Phoenix and Maricopa County oppose it, but the county would switch to neutral if it's allowed to keep the revenue it currently uses for transportation and county jails.

In other legislative news:

Gov. Katie Hobbs and House appropriations chair Rep. David Livingston (R-Peoria) traded barbs over a budget shortfall in the state's developmental disabilities program.

• Livingston blamed the governor for what he called ballooning program costs, for which Hobbs is seeking more than $100 million.
• Hobbs told reporters Thursday that supplemental appropriations are a routine part of the budget process, and said GOP lawmakers didn't have the same concerns when additional funding was needed for the school voucher-style Empowerment Scholarship Account program.

House Republicans gave preliminary approval to a bill that seeks to speed up vote counting by limiting people's ability to bring early ballots to polling places after 7pm the Friday before the election.

• Hobbs said the bill would make it harder to vote and she'll veto it if it reaches her desk.

A "starter homes" bill supported by the League of Arizona Cities and Towns was introduced by Sen. Vince Leach (R-Tucson).

• The legislation, a rival to a bipartisan starter homes bill that passed out of a House committee last week, would bar cities from mandating minimum lot sizes of more than 4,000 square feet for single-family homes.
• The bill would require cities of more than 30,000 to allow starter homes in at least 10% of new developments of more than 10 acres.