Braves: Public funding of Cobb stadium serves public purpose (Atlanta: lawyers, buyer)

[Gulch]

Braves: Public funding of stadium serves public purpose | www.ajc.com

Attorneys for the Atlanta Braves say the use of taxpayer-backed bonds to pay for construction of professional sports stadiums is nationally recognized as a legitimate use of public funds, and the millions of dollars in profit the team will reap does not make public funding unconstitutional.

That’s according to a brief the team’s lawyers filed with the Georgia Supreme Court Thursday.


The county’s plan to issue up to $397 million in bonds to pay the public share of constructing SunTrust Park has been appealed by three citizens to the state’s high court, which has set a Feb. 3 hearing on the issue.


The government’s “ability to issue bonds for recreational purposes is broad and well-settled,” the Braves’ brief says. “In the 20th and 21st centuries, financing and constructing sports stadiums and related facilities has repeatedly been held to be a public purpose.


“Opponents of stadium bond financing often point to private benefits in an attempt to undermine the public purpose — and ultimately the constitutionality — of the bonds that have been used. Courts have routinely rejected those arguments because the existence of private benefits is not dispositive — in fact, it is expected.”

The agreement also says the county will raise property taxes countywide to pay off the debt, if necessary.

[JMatl]

Serves a 'public purpose,' my ass.

I wish Time-Warner had never sold the Braves to these yahoos from Colorado.

I really do feel bad for the taxpayers of Cobb County.

Edit: I would feel differently if residents had had a choice in this, but as I see it this was basically rammed down their throats.

[red92s]

"is nationally recognized as a legitimate use of public funds"

It's kinda nationally recognized as a misuse of public funds, particularly when your constituents are not given the change to vote on the issue. Just because it's happening elsewhere does not make it a "good" thing.

[cqholt]

It's nationally recognized because these multi billion dollar, privately owned sports teams can hire the best lobbyist to convince lawmakers to believe this BS.

[PacinoWig]

Originally Posted by JMatl

Serves a 'public purpose,' my ass.

I wish Time-Warner had never sold the Braves to these yahoos from Colorado.

Don't worry. Once they've finishing properly fleecing Cobb and the stadium is built they will start looking for a buyer.