Arizona lawmakers debate Chase Field renovation funding
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Legislation to fund repairs and improvements to Chase Field is beset by disputes over how the money will be spent and how much the Diamondbacks will spend. Photo: Chris Coduto/MLB Photos via Getty Images
Legislation to fund Chase Field repairs and improvements moved forward Monday with several notable changes, but there's more work ahead.
The big picture: House Bill 2704 seeks to resolve a long-running dispute over how to pay for ballpark improvements by using sales taxes generated by the Arizona Diamondbacks.
- The team's 30-year lease ends in 2027 and managing partner Ken Kendrick said last year that the Diamondbacks "may run out of time in Phoenix" without public funding for renovations.
Driving the news: The Senate Finance Committee on Monday passed an amended version of the bill on a 4-3 vote.
- While the vote fell mostly along partisan lines, one Republican voted against it and one Democrat for it.
The intrigue: Phoenix Mayor Kate Gallego last week sent Gov. Katie Hobbs a letter outlining several objections to the bill.
- Gallego argued that legislative budget analysts incorrectly calculated the tax revenue it would divert, which she said would be about $1 billion.
- She added there's no limit on how much could be spent on repairs and upgrades, which the Diamondbacks have said would require $400 million to $500 million.
- The mayor also wants to ensure the team puts in a significant amount of its own money.
- And she wants restrictions on the types of buildings and amenities the team can invest in, such as luxury clubs in the ballpark and hotels and restaurants on adjacent land.
State of play: Committee chair Sen. J.D. Mesnard, R-Chandler made several changes to address Gallego's concerns, including:
- Imposing a $500 million aggregate cap over the 30-year span of the bill;
- Removing a provision that redirected income tax revenue from team employees to the stadium fund;
- Redirecting Maricopa County sales tax revenue to the fund.
Zoom in: Gallego told the committee she still wants more changes.
- Meanwhile, former Senate minority leader Mitzi Epstein (D-Tempe) questioned why the team doesn't pay for its own repairs, and said more tinkering is needed.
The other side: Supporters emphasized the economic, civic and ancillary benefits the city and state see from having the Diamondbacks.
- While Gallego focused on the tax money that would disappear, Sen. Vince Leach, R-Tucson, argued Phoenix would lose significantly more if the team left the city.
Meanwhile, Maricopa County switched its position from neutral to opposed over the amendment provision that diverts county tax revenue to the stadium fund.
- In a letter to Mesnard on Monday, assistant county manager Zach Schira noted the county doesn't own the ballpark and gets no direct tax revenue from it.
What's next: Mesnard emphasized that negotiations remain ongoing and said his amendment likely won't be the last.
- The Senate Appropriations Committee still has to pass the bill before it goes to the full chamber, and then it'll have to go back to the House.
Editor's note: This story has been corrected to say Mitzi Epstein is the former Senate minority leader.