In a significant move towards potentially transforming Salt Lake City's sports landscape, Utah lawmakers, including Rep. Ryan Wilcox, have been actively discussing and advancing legislation related to the establishment of Major League Baseball (MLB) and National Hockey League (NHL) teams in the city. A notable bill that has garnered attention aims to finance a new MLB stadium on the city's west side through tax hikes on hotel rooms and rental cars, with former slugger Dale Murphy pitching for the cause. This proposal, which recently secured an 8-2 committee approval from Reps Thurston and Michael Peterson voting no, has been met with mixed reactions. While some view it as a transformative project for the area, others, including council member Alejandro Puy, express concerns over the bill's implications. Additionally, the legislative push includes discussions on constructing a new arena for a potential NHL team in downtown Salt Lake City, despite the significant changes this would entail for the city's landscape. Amidst these developments, Utah's Republican lawmakers are also focusing on reducing income tax rates, highlighting a broader legislative agenda that balances ambitious sports infrastructure projects with fiscal policy adjustments.
Utah lawmakers will tackle possible tax cuts, social media regulations and funding for professional sports stadiums during the last week of the 2024 general session. Link: https://t.co/ektIttvF9d
VOTE NO: A Utah legislative committee voted not to advance a bill that would have imposed regulations on short-term rentals in the state. @DanielMWoodruff has the story. https://t.co/DtiwmbPeq6
A Utah House committee unanimously approved a bill to scrub the personal information of elected officials and state employees from the internet. Here's why lawmakers say it's needed. https://t.co/Zg3t8D6HAE
A stadium with views of Lake Merritt was once on the table for the 1960s Oakland A’s and Raiders. But Coliseum dreams — and a $4 million savings — changed their destiny. https://t.co/fUsJwLw7y0
Letter to the Editor: The White Sox’s proposed move to Clark Street demonstrates the lack of seriousness Chicago and Illinois leaders have for the needs of the city. Instead of investing south and west, the proposal has the Sox moving north. https://t.co/P9qoOcWyRB
Utah lawmakers celebrated the passage of a bill to protect employees from sexual harassment at work and void certain provisions of nondisclosure agreements. Link: https://t.co/TodhaNOPWE
"Utah’s Republican lawmakers are adamant that the income tax hurts productivity, and that reducing it will keep the economic engine stoked. It might even help Utah keep pace with Silicon Valley," @JayEvensen writes. https://t.co/Y6j23sHltQ
A bill cutting Utah’s income tax collections by nearly $170 million is advancing again in the final days of the 2024 Legislature. | By @lisarileyroche https://t.co/hGec30330G
A new hotel tax would help pay for a new MLB stadium under a bill that advanced in the House Friday. @LindsayOnAir https://t.co/bRJnu9dVsz
Revamping Salt Lake City’s west side: Proposed MLB stadium clears first legislative hurdle @slcmayor @theLHMcompany https://t.co/Y5Zwri3ziU #utpol #utleg
Stadiums, as part of larger development, can be multipliers for cities. The Sox proposal is part of a 60 acre development on vacant land abutting downtown Chicago. It would be a game-changer for the city. https://t.co/tK3O1sWI5B
A bill that sets up the framework to finance a potential Major League Baseball stadium in Salt Lake City cleared the fence in its first legislative at-bat. Link: https://t.co/adAIAzEpLX
Today, #HB562 moved forward on Utah's Capitol Hill, and it was [insert more baseball puns here]! @bmullahy2news calls the game - err - reports! https://t.co/UqHfRbdQbc
HB 234 Passage We celebrate Rep. Hayes and Senator Plumb’s successful passage of HB 234, an important bill which streamlines and improves the process for transgender and nonbinary Utahns to change one’s name and gender marker on a birth certificate. The bill now heads to the… https://t.co/6rM7QSfh6j
The Utah House of Representatives voted on H.B. 562 today, or the "Baseball Bill." Rep. Norm Thurston voted "no." He shared that his decision was based on the rise in taxes that would be placed on those who would not benefit from the bill. DETAILS: https://t.co/psl3E12fFn https://t.co/srCVnIPGrN
A bill creating a liability shield encouraging private landowners to provide public recreation access on their property is headed to Gov. Jared Polis after passing unanimously in the state House on Friday. The bill had already passed in the Senate. https://t.co/0AaLt6wu6U
Column: Jerry Reinsdorf’s about-face on the White Sox possibly leaving Chicago is history — and hypocrisy — repeating itself. More from @PWSullivan https://t.co/t0YaStornC
There's lots of talk about tax increases to pay for a pair of major league stadiums in Salt Lake City, but the Utah Legislature's Republican majority is also still focused on cutting income tax rates. https://t.co/vMK37TPzrE
It is the end of week six of Utah's Legislative Session, and there's plenty to report from the Chamber's Public Policy Team. Read a rundown of the latest developments in the #PolicyPulse newsletter: https://t.co/Z5sE7AJD6V #utecon #utpol #utleg
Bill to bring MLB here—and raise raise hotel room and rental car taxes to do it, gets first win, 8-2 in committee. Reps Thurston and Michael Peterson vote no. @KUTV2News https://t.co/XZ2GXU0y0f
Salt Lake City leaders remain eager to land a #MLB team but fear a bulky bill from Capitol Hill laying the groundwork for building a west-side stadium goes too far in stripping them of power.https://t.co/M7m5VxDCdj
Utah’s SB 150, similar to the Religious Freedom Restoration Act (RFRA), passed the House and awaits the Governor’s signature. #Freedom #Religion Continue reading: https://t.co/Z2hIm6frHB
@MLB backers bring in former slugger Dale Murphy to pitch rooms and rental car tax hikes for new stadium. @KUTV2News https://t.co/LLJl6QMYES
Center ice: Utah lawmakers want potential NHL arena in downtown Salt Lake City https://t.co/40DIeNNmYL #utpol #utleg
@slcmayor says if @MLB happens, it “will be the most transformational” project for the the west side of the city. @KUTV2News https://t.co/kcNVOKUObY
Now: Rep. Ryan Wilcox presenting bill to create the new Fairpark District to redevelop the area plus potentially bring Major League Baseball to the district. Wilcox: "We have a chance right now to be part of the conversation" for MLB expansion. We're excited for the opportunity.
New: Baseball bill bipartisan—First pitch to legislative committee for hotel room and rental car tax hikes to pay for new stadium. @KUTV2News https://t.co/U3a81gDEMC
Utah’s biggest hockey fans say they’d support an NHL team. But they have concerns, too https://t.co/j98kxeAvQX
Legislative leaders made it clear that if Utah were to land a National Hockey League team, they would want a potential new arena built in downtown Salt Lake City, even if that means dramatically changing its landscape. https://t.co/AYuyXGgskK
The possibility of bringing #MLB to Salt Lake City had always been pitched as a positive to council member Alejandro Puy, but he called the bill that would help fund that effort “concerning” and “disappointing." https://t.co/M7m5VxDCdj