Florida

It looks as though professional sports teams in Florida are going to get together to pressure politicians into giving them tax-breaks. From the Orlando Sentinel:

Gov. Charlie Crist signaled support Wednesday for a plan that could steer $540 million more in state taxpayer money to Florida's professional sports teams, including the Orlando Magic.

"I would look favorably upon it," Crist said in response to a question at The Associated Press' annual planning conference in Tallahassee.

"I think it's important for us to not lose these franchises. . . . It provides a lot of economic opportunities for our state," Crist added, though he said he had not yet reviewed the specific concept.

Magic officials are shopping a plan, first conceived by the Tampa Bay Lightning hockey team, that would grant each of Florida's nine professional sports teams an extra $60 million tax break to use toward arena and stadium improvements. The Florida Marlins baseball team is lobbying state lawmakers for a similar break to spend on a new stadium in Miami.

The state already offers one $60 million tax break -- $2 million a year spread over 30 years -- for teams to use in building or renovating facilities.