"Forget that this is Miami, where leadership suffers from the twin
afflictions of edifice complex and economic dyslexia. They love to build
big buildings, using economic projections that, as they read them, say it
can be done on schedule, with little money.
"The latest result: The Carnival Center of the Performing Arts, which
arrived two years late and a hundred million or so over budget. For what it
cost, they could have paid the Cleveland Orchestra to perform in our
houses....
"The state subsidy would provide teams up to $2 million in taxes from the
state each year, on the theory that they will generate that much in sales
taxes. The total: $60 million over 30 years.
"That's $1.15 million per full-time Marlins employee, most of who are
professional baseball players. The Marlins' typical salary, according to a
league survey by USA Today, was $327,000 last year, the lowest baseball
allows.
"The bucks don't stop there. Press reports say (Gov.) Crist suggested all
nine professional Florida teams could be eligible for the windfall. That's
$540 million.
"One has to wonder: Don't the X-Games, pro bowlers and the World Wrestling
Federation deserve equal treatment?...
"(D)oes stadium spending necessarily reflect economic growth?
"Clearly, the South Florida economy grows when tourists spend money earned
elsewhere on overpriced drinks and $35 ziti dishes.
"Similarly, the economy expands when people move here and buy a house,
purchase windstorm insurance and, shortly thereafter, develop heart
palpitations and visit a local cardiologist.
"But do sports teams bring in tourists? The Marlins can barely draw
locals."
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