Under an obscure Florida law, stadiums that take taxpayer subsidies must serve as homeless shelters on the nights when they are not hosting events. With more than 50,000 residents living on the streets, Florida has the nation’s third-largest homeless population, giving the 18 stadiums that take taxpayer subsidies the opportunity to provide a valuable, and necessary, public good.
But according to two Florida Republicans, the stadiums aren’t holding up their end of the deal. Despite taking more than $271 million in subsidies since Miami’s Dolphins Stadium opened in 1994, the facilities aren’t serving the homeless on off nights, and legislation filed by Sen. Mike Bennett (R) and Rep. Frank Artiles (R) would force the stadiums to refund the tax money if they haven’t complied with the law, the Miami Herald reports:
But according to two Florida Republicans, the stadiums aren’t holding up their end of the deal. Despite taking more than $271 million in subsidies since Miami’s Dolphins Stadium opened in 1994, the facilities aren’t serving the homeless on off nights, and legislation filed by Sen. Mike Bennett (R) and Rep. Frank Artiles (R) would force the stadiums to refund the tax money if they haven’t complied with the law, the Miami Herald reports:
Sen. Mike Bennett (R-Bradenton) and Rep. Frank Artiles (R-Miami) have filed bills that would require stadiums to return money to the state if they have not been complying with the homeless shelter law.
“These organizations have failed to follow the law for over 20 years,” said Artiles, in a statement .”This is the simply the State of Florida holding them accountable.”
So in Lakewood, the next time a Committeeman or invited buddy gets to use one of the private skybox seats paid for by the taxpayers, they will have to be careful not to wake someone sleeping in the room.
“These organizations have failed to follow the law for over 20 years,” said Artiles, in a statement .”This is the simply the State of Florida holding them accountable.”
So in Lakewood, the next time a Committeeman or invited buddy gets to use one of the private skybox seats paid for by the taxpayers, they will have to be careful not to wake someone sleeping in the room.
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