With the Legislature's session waning, the Florida Marlins are hoping for a last-minute deal that would provide the final piece of funding for their new $420 million retractable-roof stadium in downtown Miami.
Representatives passed HB 173 last week providing $60 million in sales tax rebates for the Marlins new baseball stadium and for the Orlando Magic's basketball stadium renovations. The loaded-up bill also would provide $60 million to four spring training sites and $30 million to assist Daytona Beach officials in their bid for the right to build a new NASCAR Hall of Fame.
On Tuesday, the Senate referred HB 173 to five committees for review despite the fact that several senators filed similar bills.
Marlins and local officials have been to the capital this week urging key legislators, including Sen. President Tom Lee, to move the bill to the floor for debate.
A bond financing plan to build the ballpark has been negotiated between the Marlins and city and county officials, but the plan essentially depends on the state's rebate of sales tax revenue as another funding stream to secure some of the bonds.
The Legislature is schedule to conclude its session tomorrow afternoon.
