91直播

With bipartisan support, the state House Commerce Committee on Tuesday passed , a bill by state Rep. Jeff Weninger (R-Chandler) to develop a reliable funding stream for necessary improvements at Chase Field while ensuring that the Arizona Diamondbacks will remain in downtown Phoenix. 

Former Diamondbacks player Luis Gonzalez spoke in favor of the bill.

鈥淚 first came here via trade in 1999 and Chase Field was a state-of-the-art stadium鈥攖he crown jewel of the downtown area,鈥� he said. 鈥淭wenty-six years later not much has changed and the stadium is in dire need of improvements and repair.鈥� 

Maricopa County owns the stadium, but its upkeep and management, including booking events like concerts and college bowl games, are the responsibility of the club.

Discussing the team鈥檚 impact on the community beyond the baseball diamond, the 2001 World Series star said that the organization鈥檚 foundation has given back nearly $100 million to charitable organizations since the team began play in 1998. 

What the bill does 

• Allows the recapture of sales tax from merchandise, concessions, and other goods sold at the stadium to be placed into a fund to aid in repairing the stadium
  
• The income taxes of team employees and their spouses (if filed jointly) will also be recaptured into the same fund.聽

The bill will ensure that the Arizona Diamondbacks remain in Arizona for decades to come, far beyond the term of the team鈥檚 current lease at Chase Field, which is due to end in 2027. 

鈥淭he downtown Phoenix ballpark has generated $5.4 billion in GDP to our state over a 25-year period,鈥� said Courtney Coolidge, executive vice president of the Arizona Chamber of Commerce and Industry. 鈥淭hey are a part of the fabric of Arizona.鈥� 

The bill will not increase taxes on Arizonans, rather it will reallocate tax dollars already generated to fund the improvements. 

Kim Grace Sabow, the president and CEO of the Arizona Lodging & Tourism Association, said it was critical to ensure that Chase Field remains a viable venue for special events that attract visitors.

鈥淭he bill will help continue a major generator of tourism and economic growth,鈥� she said. 鈥淎 thriving Chase Field brings visitors from out of town, from across the country, from across the world鈥攕upporting local hotels, restaurants, and businesses.鈥�

The business community view 

In addition to the Arizona Diamondbacks, Arizona Chamber, and AzLTA, the bill also enjoys support from the Chandler, Greater Phoenix, and Gilbert chambers of commerce, beverage distributors and manufacturers, and restaurateurs. 

The bill is opposed by the Arizona Tax Research Association, the League of Arizona Cities & Towns, and Worker Power, the political arm of the California-based UniteHere Local 11 labor union.