379 replies to this topic

[mylo]

Especially with no arena

Yeah, that would look kinda stupid..

[Sandman]

I'll take that bet, and will raise you that the great american infatuation with Baseball will be dead within 10 years!

You keep on believing that.....

[john]

We had a soccer team in Sacramento - the Sacramento Knights. They won the championship and then folded.

Soccer will never be as popular as the big 4.

[cw68]

We had a soccer team in Sacramento - the Sacramento Knights. They won the championship and then folded.

Soccer will never be as popular as the big 4.

Go Chicago Sting! Oh yeah, they folded, too...

[DrKoz23]

I'll take that bet, and will raise you that the great american infatuation with Baseball will be dead within 10 years!

The Western Open (golf on ESPN) had higher ratings than the final of the World Cup! I'd take that bet in a heartbeat... and give odds.

A sport that ends its title game in "penalty kicks" will never gain popularity. That's like ending the NBA Finals with a free throw shooting contest instead of OT... or field goals instead of OT in the Super Bowl. Give me a break... soccer will never be a mainstream sport in this country.

[tgianco]

There's a couple of issues here rather than just "do you want the Kings."

A 1/4 cent sales tax increase doesn't sound like much, but what happens:

1. If it doesn't cover the costs of the new arena? Will they (city, county, Maloofs) ask for more?
2. Will that tax increase go away when said arena is paid for or will it go to other "civic" projects or to pay for other unfunded liabilities?
3. Why do businesses in Sac County get penalized when up to 1/2 of Kings season ticket holders come from outside the County? Is it fair that only a portion of the population or the businesses that serve only a portion of the population be penalized when businesses outside the County stand to benefit as much or more (such as a restaurant/ bar in Roseville will benefit more from the proximity to said Arena compared to a Hacienda in Folsom)?

Some want to gloss over these, but there are issues of fairness to deal with. It won't affect me, personally, but it will certainly affect businesses and possibly big ticket purchases (hmmm...buy a car at the Folsom Auto Mall w/ an 8% sales charge or one in Roseville at 7 1/4%?).

[DrKoz23]

There's a couple of issues here rather than just "do you want the Kings."

A 1/4 cent sales tax increase doesn't sound like much, but what happens:

1. If it doesn't cover the costs of the new arena? Will they (city, county, Maloofs) ask for more?
2. Will that tax increase go away when said arena is paid for or will it go to other "civic" projects or to pay for other unfunded liabilities?
3. Why do businesses in Sac County get penalized when up to 1/2 of Kings season ticket holders come from outside the County? Is it fair that only a portion of the population or the businesses that serve only a portion of the population be penalized when businesses outside the County stand to benefit as much or more (such as a restaurant/ bar in Roseville will benefit more from the proximity to said Arena compared to a Hacienda in Folsom)?

Some want to gloss over these, but there are issues of fairness to deal with. It won't affect me, personally, but it will certainly affect businesses and possibly big ticket purchases (hmmm...buy a car at the Folsom Auto Mall w/ an 8% sales charge or one in Roseville at 7 1/4%?).

No matter where a car is purchased... you are charged the sales tax of the county in which you register it.

[mylo]

No matter where a car is purchased... you are charged the sales tax of the county in which you register it.

Yes, the same applies to sandwiches.

It doesn't matter where you purchase it, the tax must be forwarded by the sales establishment to the county where you actually eat said sandwich.

[tgianco]

No matter where a car is purchased... you are charged the sales tax of the county in which you register it.

Still doesn't address the issues, although that's good knowledge. I would rather keep my biz in town than give it to Roseville.

Yes, the same applies to sandwiches.

It doesn't matter where you purchase it, the tax must be forwarded by the sales establishment to the county where you actually eat said sandwich.

Hey, you just worry about funny hats and let the big boys talk finance.

[DrKoz23]

Say for instance you buy a $3000 plasma TV from Best Buy...

Folsom... $3240 (8 % Tax)

Roseville... $3217.50 (7.25 % Tax)

Difference... $22.50 (Only $7.50 would be from the arena tax)

Is it really worth your time and gas money to drive up to Roseville to save the extra money. For me... it isn't. The convenience of driving only a few miles to the Folsom Best Buy would win out.

[tgianco]

Say for instance you buy a $3000 plasma TV from Best Buy...

Folsom... $3240 (8 % Tax)

Roseville... $3217.50 (7.25 % Tax)

Difference... $22.50 (Only $7.50 would be from the arena tax)

Is it really worth your time and gas money to drive up to Roseville to save the extra money. For me... it isn't. The convenience of driving only a few miles to the Folsom Best Buy would win out.

For someone in Citrus Heights deciding whether to go to Folsom or Roseville, it will. What if it's an even bigger ticket item?

Hwoever, this is only a small side issue. What about limits of this? Can you or any of the politicos address them?

I'm not saying I won't vote for it if it comes up, but I'm not gonna vote for it just because people want to keep the Kings. You've got to set limits on this or this Maloofs and (especially) the politicians can make this a real "pork" piece.

[DrKoz23]

There's a couple of issues here rather than just "do you want the Kings."

A 1/4 cent sales tax increase doesn't sound like much, but what happens:

1. If it doesn't cover the costs of the new arena? Will they (city, county, Maloofs) ask for more?
2. Will that tax increase go away when said arena is paid for or will it go to other "civic" projects or to pay for other unfunded liabilities?
3. Why do businesses in Sac County get penalized when up to 1/2 of Kings season ticket holders come from outside the County? Is it fair that only a portion of the population or the businesses that serve only a portion of the population be penalized when businesses outside the County stand to benefit as much or more (such as a restaurant/ bar in Roseville will benefit more from the proximity to said Arena compared to a Hacienda in Folsom)?

Some want to gloss over these, but there are issues of fairness to deal with. It won't affect me, personally, but it will certainly affect businesses and possibly big ticket purchases (hmmm...buy a car at the Folsom Auto Mall w/ an 8% sales charge or one in Roseville at 7 1/4%?).

The .25 % sales tax should have a drop dead date... when the arena funds have been raised it dies. If this were a stipulation... I would probably vote for it.

I agree that Placer and El Dorado counties should have to give a portion... but I don't think it will happen. These two counties reach too far away from the Sac Metro area... and would definitely not gain enough support to pass in a vote. Yes this is too bad... but it would just complicate things to the point of doomed failure.

As an example... the Milwaukee Brewers new stadium (Miller Park)... was finance with a sales tax increase (.10 % making the total 5.60 %) for Milwaukee county and all the surrounding counties that are in the metro area... but these surrounding counties all had their jurisdicitions in close proximity to Milwaukee (unlike the portions of Placer and El Dorado counties near the Nevada border). There was strong opposition to begin with... but in the long run... it has been seen as a positive for the community and brought a lot of civic pride. The Brewers were going to leave if there wasn't a new stadium built.

Other ideas to raise funds...

1) Hotel tax increase.
2) Car rental tax increase.
3) Fee increase on all incoming/outgoing flights from Sac Int'l

For someone in Citrus Heights deciding whether to go to Folsom or Roseville, it will. What if it's an even bigger ticket item?

Hwoever, this is only a small side issue. What about limits of this? Can you or any of the politicos address them?

I'm not saying I won't vote for it if it comes up, but I'm not gonna vote for it just because people want to keep the Kings. You've got to set limits on this or this Maloofs and (especially) the politicians can make this a real "pork" piece.

Good point about people in Citrus Heights. I am sure right now with the .50 % difference people in this part of the county are more likely to go to Roseville.

As much as I don't want to pay more in taxes... I can see the benefit of having the Kings stay in this area. Imagine the Railyards project when it is built out. Downtown may actually be a place where I'd want to go on a Friday night... instead of avoiding it like the plague. We have one of the worst downtowns in the county... it is quite a joke right now... we have the opportunity to make a difference right now. Think of all the other cities our size that have revitalized their downtown with a new arena or ballpark.

1) Memphis
2) Indianapolis
3) Columbus
4) Denver (even though it is slightly bigger).

This just isn't about the Kings... but also about the future of this city and the direction in which it is going to be taken.

[Chad Vander Veen]

Rumors are flying that this is the deal to be announced this week:

The plan: Arena cost 500M
Maloofs pay 100M
City/County would own the facility.
1/4 raise of sales tax
Rent would be 3 million/yr for the Maloofs

IMHO, this is a fabulous arrangement. I hope the people of the region agree.

[ngilbert]

IMHO, this is a fabulous arrangement.

Agreed. Is the plan to build it at the old rail yards?

[Chad Vander Veen]

Agreed. Is the plan to build it at the old rail yards?

Yes sir