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September 12, 2005
Let them build stadiums
The Daily News
by Michael O'Keefe
Bush matriarch, fondly known as "Babs," spoke volumes about political reality in the States last week as she expressed her concern that the "underpriviledged" would take advanatage of Texan hospitality and decide to stay. While her boy genius, fondly known as "W," cut back programs that could have mitigated the extent of the disaster wrought by Katrina, the government has continued to find funding for stadiums and arenas, like the Texas Rangers deal that put W on the map and launches his political career. The Daily News sports writer, Michael O'Keefe connects the dots:
Meanwhile, here in New York, Nets owner Bruce Ratner wants $200 million in public subsidies, tax-exempt financing, tax breaks and other perks to build a $3.5 billion development that would include an arena for his NBA team, 6,000 apartments, stores and offices.
Ratner and his political allies - including Mayor Bloomberg, Gov. Pataki and Brooklyn Borough President Marty Markowitz - tell us this will be great for New York, even if they haven't figured out how they'll take care of the traffic congestion, polluted air and crowded schools that will follow.
In return for throwing people out of their homes and businesses, according to the Independent Budget Office, the city gets a whopping $28.5 million for its investment over the next 30 years - or less than $1 million year
NoLandGrab: If we had a dollar for every time we asked this question, we'd have two dollars (see "Mike Lupica, Shooting from the Lip"). *Why does it take a Daily News sports writer to scrutinize the Ratner proposal and point out its profound effects on public policy and life in our city? Stepping out of their ordinary beat, these writers have become the boy who isn't afraid to say that the emperor has no clothes.*
Posted by lumi at September 12, 2005 7:58 AM