Mike Bennett Introduces Bill Impacting Taxpayer Subsidies to Pro Sports

Senate President Pro Tempore Mike Bennett, R-Bradenton, announced on Thursday that he was introducing a measure to prohibit taxpayer dollars being used for professional athletics unless approved by a majority of the residents within the jurisdictional boundaries of such government entity. The House version was being introduced by Rep. Fred Costello, R-Ormond Beach.

Every person in this state who owns a home and has to see their property tax increase year by year, deserves not to have their hard-earned money go to support a sports franchise, said Bennett. Its a matter of fairness. If you can pay someone $52 million to play the game of baseball, certainly you can build your own stadium with your own money.

Its time for the Legislature to look at what this ludicrous way of doing business is costing the citizens of Florida, added Bennett. There is no reason a sports team should not pay their fair share, and if exemptions are given, they should be voted on by those citizens affected.