Cityline Result: Tax Us To Pay For Ballpark

If King County voters shared the sentiments of the bulk of our Cityline callers, the Mariners would be permanently anchored in Seattle.

A proposed tax increase to fund a new stadium for the M’s was narrowly voted down by King County voters in September - meaning the Mariners could soon be loading the moving vans and heading for a new home.

This week, we asked our readers if they felt the Washington State Legislature - meaning you, Joe Taxpayer - should step in and help finance the proposed $285 million stadium to keep the American League West champions in Seattle.

Of the 115 Cityline respondents, 67 were in favor of that legislative support, with 48 willing to sink the Mariners.

The degree of passion was roughly equal on both sides of the issue, however, with one naysayer not just saying no, but going on the record with a “no, no, no, no, no, no.”

Sorry pal, this isn’t a Chicago alderman’s race, only one vote per customer.

Those suggesting the taxpayers of the state could help out did so for several reasons.

The influence of the team is statewide, not just in King County, so the financial responsibility should be shared across the state, several said.

If baseball dies in Seattle, it never will be revived, others said.

And the real value of having a local team to root for lies in the way it helps weave generations together, others suggested.

One caller said that, sure, he’s willing to pay, but in return, the Mariners should schedule some exhibition games in Eastern Washington.

Those “voting” against the support tend to be of a single mind: Workingstiff taxpayers should not be asked to help support the futures of arrogant millionaire ballplayers and avaricious billionaire franchise owners.

, DataTimes