One word: Huh?
Read the Independent Budget Analyst Report.
The report is dated today. The San Diego City Council vote is tomorrow. This would start the ball moving on an Environmental Impact Report the next day.
Not exactly a lot of time for public digestion and reaction.
Yet, the stakes have been set, apparently. The report ends with:
…the decision on whether or not to proceed with the proposed EIR should be informed by how important Council believes the Chargers are to the local economy and vitality of the San Diego community, if that importance justifies expenditure of these funds to avoid foreclosing the possibility of keeping the Chargers in San Diego, and what residual value the EIR might have should the Chargers ultimately elect to leave San Diego.
Comments 14
Voice: Stadium Saga About to Get Expensive with Big City Bet
http://www.voiceofsandiego.org/topics/land-use/stadium-saga-about-to-get-expensive-with-big-city-bet/
McSwain: Just the beginning
http://www.sandiegouniontribune.com/news/2015/jul/13/chargers-mayor-stadium-bet-environmental/
The Republicans on the City Council lead the way in sinking money into a Chargers ship.
http://www.boltsfromtheblue.com/2015/7/14/8965017/san-diego-gets-money-for-mission-valley-eir
What? Stop the insanity! The Chargers have told the City of San Diego in many different ways that they want to leave San Diego. Do you think the detailed plans with the Raiders is an elaborate hoax?Don’t waste the money. There comes a point where you need to know when to quit. Kevin, that time has come and gone.
Sorry Charger fans.
Good money after bad. This thing is politically charged and Republicans are terrified to be the “bad guys” who “caused” the Chargers to “bolt”.
Cate and Zapf could have provided cover by voting no.
When conservatives and libertarians measure the San Diego City Council from the standard of what common sense dictates should be fundamental economic principles, things often are bass-ackwards.
Well, this conservative knows that all the talking about the economic “benefits” are largely unsupported by the evidence. I doubt we will ever have an honest discussion about the Chargers and their “need” for a new stadium. I wish politicians would just out and be honest. This is about civic pride and paying extortion money to keep the team here. That’s all it is.
Pardon me but the only thing I see being conserved here is government interference in the marketplace.
I refer the last sentence in the Foreword of Goldwater’s Conscience of a Conservative … “Conservative principles so widely espoused, and Conservative Action, so generally neglected.”
Yawn.
Eric, we hope you didn’t read that as conservatives and libertarians being bass-ackwards.
Far be it from me to correct you. As always you articulate well and in a pleasant manner.
Perhaps I should define my terms. In my book a Conservative is one who “conserves” the status quo. At the point a conservative begins “conserving” the great ideas of the American Revolution they become libertarian.
Well articulated yourself, Eric. We’re not sure anyone in yesterday’s 6-3 vote could be described as libertarian, not even just for that single vote. On the other hand, it could be argued that some were conserving the status quo and some, usually described as liberal, who were — at least yesterday — reformers.
I thought about it a little and have two more thoughts. First, it might be a show for the NFL owners’ meeting next month. If they can convince the NFL that Los Angeles doesn’t need 2 or 3 teams, perhaps they are using this to derail the from Chargers getting the requisite approval.
The more cynical side of me thinks that the mayor and council are looking for political cover so they don’t take the blame if the Chargers leave.
Either way, I’m fed up and wish they would leave or sell. Conrad Prebys seems to have a ton of money…maybe he can buy the team…or build a stadium.
Even a broken clock is right twice a day.
As a ‘classical’ liberal I would have stood with the “reformers” on this one as I’m guessing would have Brian, Dan and Carl.
Absolutely, Eric. There is no reason for taxpayer money to be spent on this, I would have appreciated it if they spent $2 million on a study to sell Qualcomm to a private investor.
“The more cynical side of me thinks that the mayor and council are looking for political cover so they don’t take the blame if the Chargers leave.”
That’s exactly what happened, Carl. Again, Zapf and Cate aren’t up for re-election and could have given them cover by voting with the reformers.