Unlike many pro sports teams, the Dolphins were willing to let the people decide whether to increase the local hotel taxes to help fund renovations to the local football stadium -- renovations that could bring multiple Super Bowls back to Miami.
But the politicians refused to let it happen, allowing the regular session to expire without acting on the bill. Now, the Dolphins are firing back, via a statement from Jorge Arrizurieta and H.T. Smith, co-chairs of the campaign to secure public funds for the project.
“By leaving Tallahassee without letting the people of Miami-Dade vote on the modernization of Sun Life Stadium, the Florida House clearly showed our community that they would rather play politics than do the right thing,” the statement reads, via the Miami Herald. “While the Tallahassee politicians found time to raise the contribution limits for their fundraising, they said they couldn’t find time to let the people of Miami-Dade make their voices heard. While they pushed their political agenda, the House leaders refused to support the effort that would create over 4,000 jobs and provide a much-needed boost to our local economy.
“The House put at risk the future of Super Bowls and other major events in Miami, which are so critical to our tourism economy. It’s a sad day when Tallahassee gives San Francisco and Houston a victory at the expense of our community.
“This inaction by the Florida House of Representatives is frankly irresponsible and regretful. The most basic responsibility and right a citizen has is the ability to vote. All we asked for was the opportunity to vote to not be denied. Unfortunately, the House chose to deny Miami-Dade residents the right to have the final say on this effort.”
The easy solution would be for the governor of Florida to call an immediate special session of the Legislature, with the goal of getting this bill passed. But that may not be enough to salvage an Italian timeline that required a public vote on May 14, before owners meet on May 21 to award Super Bowl L.