Seattle Times columnist Blaine Newnham thinks that the best way to resolve the Seattle Sonics standoff is to give the team what it wanted in the first place:
Before Bennett, the Sonics proposed as a way of paying for the remodel of KeyArena that the same tax that paid for a majority of Safeco Field and Qwest Field – a county tax on restaurant meals and rental cars – be extended.
Not added or increased. Just extended.
If anyone can explain why adding future taxes is any less of a tax increase than adding them now, e-mail me. Or better, e-mail Blaine Newnham.
Easy — because future taxes get paid by future generations! This is the ultimate “buy now, don’t pay until ’09” scheme. The sports media can always be counted on to stand up for corporate welfare for sports teams, though — no surprise there. Let’s see if any mainstream media commentators in Seattle are similarly inclined.
What a pantload.
So, if my bank calls tomorrow and tells me they’re extending my car loan for a year, I shouldn’t be concerned because it’s not really an increased payment?
But, you know, these hotel taxes don’t really affect locals, so maybe all they’re really doing is extending a non-tax.
That should make people feel a lot better.