TALLAHASSEE, Fla. -- State taxpayers would pay $60 million
over 30 years to help build a retractable-roof ballpark in Miami
for the Florida Marlins under legislation approved unanimously
Thursday by House and Senate committees.
The team, Miami and Miami-Dade County have committed to paying
$460 million of the $490 million project. The remaining $30 million
would come from bonds backed by the $60 million in state money.
Former Gov. Jeb Bush was against the idea, but new Gov. Charlie
Crist has said he supports the use of state money because he
believes it creates economic development.
The proposal was approved by the Senate Finance and Tax
Committee and the House Economic Development Committee.