Lawmakers fail to craft measure to keep Cubs
East Valley Tribune – Garin Groff April 29, 2010
Arizona’s lawmakers have failed to craft legislation needed to keep the Chicago Cubs in Mesa, opening the door for Florida to lure baseball’s most-attended spring training program.
Mesa still has time to work out a deal for a new spring training facility. But with the Legislature ending its session for this year this week, lawmakers will instead scatter across the state to campaign for re-election.
Mesa Councilman Scott Somers acknowledged he’s worried no deal is in place yet.
“I am concerned that the Cubs may pull the trigger and leave, but I am hopeful that they will give us a little more time,” Somers said Thursday.
An agreement struck with the Cubs this winter requires Arizona to approve a funding plan by July 12. A special session is possible. But the sponsor of a bill to fund the training complex said he’s not counting on that.
“The headlines don’t sound too good, ‘Legislature called back to special session for baseball,’ ” said House Majority Leader John McComish, R-Ahwatukee Foothills.
The nearly year-long scramble to defeat Florida’s effort has been a roller coaster ride for everybody involved.
The Cubs changed ownership, to the Ricketts family.
Arizona’s lawmakers were consumed with the worst budget crisis in state history and an immigration bill that’s triggered international attention.
When Mesa officials went to lawmakers with a proposal for a surcharge on Cactus League tickets, they were stunned by fierce opposition from the 15 other Cactus League teams and Major League Baseball Commissioner Bud Selig.
And the recession looms over every discussion to raise funds.
The chaotic events could work in Mesa’s favor, elected officials said.
“Things came up that nobody really envisioned,” Mesa Mayor Scott Smith said. “That certainly has to factor to how we go forward in the discussion. I think we’re all a little more patient and not as panicky because we’ve all had to dodge quite a few bullets.”
The big problem emerged when the plan for a Cubs facility expanded to pay for improvements to other aging spring training complexes in the Valley. It was thought that would get the support of other cities and other teams, only to backfire.
“The problem actually has gotten bigger,” McComish said.
McComish would like to extend the deadline a year. Smith said he’s still aiming for a plan lawmakers can approve by July, and that it’s too early to approach the Cubs about an extension.
A Cubs representative declined to comment.
The new Cubs complex is touted as an economic driver for the East Valley, as the team’s annual economic impact has been pegged at $138 million. The complex would cost about $119 million. About $59 million would come from tourism taxes that the Legislature would have to approve, $25 million from Mesa and $35 million from the Cubs, a land transaction and infrastructure already in place. Two east Mesa sites are being considered.
Smith urged lawmakers and other baseball teams to help keep the Cubs, saying other teams could follow them to Florida.
“We think it’s sheer lunacy to sit here and allow something as important as the Cactus League to be damaged simply through inaction,” Smith said.
Councilman Dennis Kavanaugh said Mesa’s efforts are hurt by not having legislation. But even if Mesa can’t meet the deadline, he is encouraged that Selig has pushed to keep the Cubs in Arizona and that the Ricketts have attended their first spring training here.
“They see the support from the Valley, from the city in terms of how we treat them, in terms of how we treat their fans, and I think that’s gone a long way to create a positive atmosphere for ongoing positive discussions,” Kavanaugh said. “I don’t think anybody has a feeling that they want to walk away from the discussions at all.”