Local Legislators on Panthers Funding
During Tuesday night’s meeting of the Mecklenburg County Young Republicans, I was able to ask Senator Jeff Tarte and Representative Bill Brawley whether they would vote to allow Charlotte to raise taxes in order to fund the private, for profit, enterprise known as the Carolina Panthers.
From Republicans, I would have hoped for and expected a simple, “Absolutely not! Next question please!”, but dealing with politicians is never so easy.
I personally like these guys, and I’m excited at some of the possibilities GOP super-majorities allow (elimination of income tax, for example), but as I’ve written before, why some Republicans get caught up in the failed premise of “public/private partnerships” is foreign to me. It’s really a lose/lose situation.
Instead of the “no” I was looking for, Senator Tarte explained that a “yes or no” wasn’t so easy. “It’s actually more complicated than that”, he insisted.
He went on to say we, “can’t be shortsighted and [need to] recognize the economic engine that is [the Panthers].”
Other catchphrases like the need to “be pragmatic” and that “certain businesses have enough impact [to warrant discussion]” found their way into the the ultimate reality that he is “willing to sit at the table” with the Panthers to discuss the possibility of funding.
From Representative Brawley we got a different tone, of sorts. While seemingly still willing to allow tax money to be given to the Panthers, he did offer a couple of suggestions as to what the source of that money could be…as opposed to a new tax increase. For example, giving the Panthers their previously paid property tax back and exempting them from future payments.
In both cases, I would hope that these legislators would re-examine their positions. Both of the visions presented, though conflicting, still ultimately had tax revenue used to subsidize the activities of one particular business. At some point, such “cooperation” needs to end.
If the assumption that sports franchises did benefit the economy was accepted (and I don’t accept the premise based on nearly 30 studies I have read) then clearly other large private businesses in Charlotte also contribute to our economic well-being. If Bank of America came to the city threatening to leave unless taxpayers built them a new skyscraper, would it be “worth the discussion”? If Duke Energy came to the city wanting a new city funded nuclear reactor, would that be taken seriously?
I would hope not.
We must end the idea that any business is deserving of taxpayer funding. If the model was viable and profitable, no support from the public would be necessary. To the contrary, if not forced to contribute to the funding of competition, other businesses may end up doing even better.
Here is the video of the exchange with Tarte and Brawley.
Great post Christian! How these Republicans can dance around this causes me to question their base priciples. Like you, I personally like both gentlemen but they too are lost in the wrong thought that government’s job is to “do”. This is the base point of misunderstanding. Government’s job is to get out of the way and let We The People “do” except in situations that violate Nature’s law. Then government is to be there to referee, not change/make the basic rules.
Hear, hear!
I can only imagine that elected officials feel compelled to “do something” so as to get their name on something. They will vote to give each other votes in the hopes of the others giving them votes when it comes time to “do something”. Such a backwards premise.
Say no to expansion of government.
raise taxes on food, and hand the proceeds to a billionare- I would expect nothing less from Tarte
On the plus side, watch this video of the entire discussion. I think Tarte is wrong on Panthers funding, but he seems pretty strong on 2nd amendment issues. Start around one hour. The question on gun rights comes up and generates some good discussion.
The legislature will not consider gun control measures this session, so Tarte’s views thereupon are frankly irrelevant.
However since Raleigh tends to follow the lead of a county’s delegation on local issues such as the Panthers, the fact that Tarte is either ignorant or purchased makes him a very dangerous man.
This makes my stomach turn. How can they even consider themselves to be Republicans??!? Oh, don’t tell me – they are against gay marriage and for the 2nd amendment.
Tarte sounds like a total Chamber whore scumbag.
Confront those who look to enrich themselves with “privelege-seeking” behavior by confronting them with a firm dose of………pragmatism?
Yeah, that’ll dissuade others from trying.
Yes, it is an easy answer. Our state is on the brink of true change. We have men and women in office in our state who truly want to make a difference and possibly make revolutionary changes that will make North Carolina more competitive. There is a finite amount of money the state will have. Are you going to go off into LEFT field and give our tax money to a private business?
[…] by July 1. In the meantime, legislators from Gov. Pat and Speaker Thom’s home county are rallying the troops to (1) approve a local sales tax bill for Charlotte and (2) approve additional tax money for […]
That headline pretty much sums up the state of the Repubican party right now and why it will not, and should not, be able to maintain or effectively wield whatever power it may still be able to be able to garner. It has no soul, no core beliefs and, much like the government agencies it pretends to abhor, exists soley to keep existing. These traitors think we are so stupid they can gin up the abortion bashing, gay baiting and gun mongering at election time, then as soon they get into power proceed to loot the treasury for their cronies. AND WE ARE.
BCG- what is “abortion bashing”, what is “gun mongering”?
The elites on both sides use abortion and gun rights issues to gin up the ill educated uniformed of their parties, when neither of them care one bit about babies dying/abortion access or the proliferation/confiscation of guns. They use these red meat issues to keep the ignorant in a constant state of polarized outrage so they can join hands and screw us all with impunity. Its big-time wrestling, choregraphed and photographed, while the looting of the middle class and the destruction of our liberties continues unabated. The fact that neither of these bozos could answer quickly, without explanation NO I WOULD NOT SUPPORT RAISING TAXES TO ENRICH A BILLIONAIRE proves my point.
BCG- we are on the same side of many issues- (amendment 1 for example) but I do think that many folks worry that there are many pols who would like to eliminate civilian ownership of firearm-
re the Panthers- you should have said in your above posts that the pols Would not address the issue, rather then Could not answer the food tax for Jerry question- This is nothing but a bailout for Panther PSL holders- if the Panthers move- guess what your PSL is worth nothing- Any elected officall who is also a PSL holder, has a significant conflict of interest on this matter
I would like some new family room furniture. I got a couple pieces last year and hope to complete the room over the next few years. I budget and save accordingly, why should it be any different for the Panthers (or the government for that matter)? It is CRAZY that voters allow this to happen. Brawley and Tarte need to go. It becomes increasingly clear daily that the majority of republicans in legislature do not believe in conservative principles.
Note that the Pewter Rose Bistro closed its doors after 25 years, but the city thinks it’s a good idea to raise the food and beverage tax. Charlotte is the next Detroit.
Melanie,
Good point on Pewter Rose. In the post I link to with the “written before” hyperlink above, I mentioned this also.
“If the Panthers were so instrumental in the success of other entertainment options, why then do we see bankruptcy filing from the Epicenter? Why is Mez closing? Why did Jillians close? Why is the Pewter Rose closing? Weren’t the Panthers supposed to be their saving grace?”
Why dont you pretenders take the time to see how small charlotte was and how they were seen by America, they weren’t. I went to hawaii in 1988 and no one ever heard of charlotte, after 1995 every knows charlotte, you think any of the large growth would have happened if we didn’t get the panthers? You people make me sick, i am against any tax increase but finally helping the panthers is a smart move because LA is trying to steal any team they can. No i am a poor boy, i dont have money but if the city/county can pay for all those illegals in our school system then they can help pay for renovations to a building that helps this city a whole lot more than the DNC ever will. Think we would have got the DNC or the RNC (coming next year to charlotte, hopefully), without the panthers, think again. Where were you people when the state gave a fifty million dollars tax break to Corning? for the second time.
Yes, I believe the growth would have happened without the Panthers.
LA has already lost two NFL teams, the Carolina Panthers are the 13th most valuable franchise in sports in the USA…they aren’t going anywhere. This is an extortion being run to funnel tax money into the hands of a billionaire and his millionaire employees.
There are dozens of studies that show sports does not increase economic development for a city. It simply moves entertainment dollars from one place to another.
Don’t get me wrong. I’m a huge Panthers fan. My house is full of memorabilia and I love going to games. I just don’t see why the taxpayers need be forced to fund a private enterprise. It is just not the proper role of government.
Thanks for commenting.
I wish Charlotte was like it was thirty years ago. It was a nice to live. Now? Not so much. Blame who or what you want, but Charlotte’s best days are behind it.
Did it ever occur to you that people moved to Charlotte precisely because it was NOT Atlanta or Chicago or Detroit or LA? Why should every city whore itself out to monied interests for the purpose of attracting a non-essential business that operates ten days a year?
[…] We must end the idea that any business is deserving of taxpayer funding. If the model was viable and profitable, no support from the public would be necessary. To the contrary, if not forced to contribute to the funding of competition, other businesses may end up doing even better…read the rest here […]