Gov. Bill Lee’s representatives will meet with members of the state Legislature on Tuesday morning to request a $500 million increase in debt to help fund a professional football stadium in Nashville, two officials said.
The new bill will expand the state’s general-obligation debt ceiling by $500 million, according to sources close to the deal who spoke on condition of anonymity.
The funding is expected to be contingent on a new stadium being built with a roof, which would make the new venue more viable to host a Super Bowl.
Not that there’s anything new or earth-shattering about the governor’s proposal for taxpayers to help fund a football stadium, but I, for one, don’t think government should be involved in funding expensive stadiums for for-profit sports franchises that are privately owned by wealthy businessmen and that provide a place for millionaires to play ball. I’m a sports fan, but c’mon. Should we start naming the ways that $500 million could be better spent? How many miles of roads in rural Tennessee would $500 million pave?
About the Author: Ben Garrett
