Sen. Fasano: Don’t Look to the State to Bail Out Yard Goats

Hartford – Amid news that Hartford’s new minor league baseball stadium is already over budget and will not be completed as planned for the start of the 2016 season, Senate Minority Leader Len Fasano (R-North Haven) is urging state leaders to not allow state funds to bail out the project. He’s also reminding Governor Dannel P. Malloy of his promise to protect state dollars from being squandered on this project.

“The problems Hartford is facing regarding their stadium are serious, but in no way, shape or form should they resort to a state bailout. I sincerely hope Hartford can figure out a way to move forward with their stadium, which the city has already invested in enormously. But that solution cannot involve a dime of state taxpayer money,” said Fasano.

“Our state is in no position to be subsidizing a massive stadium project. The state’s finances are in serious trouble. While one budget hole was temporarily plugged, the budget passed by state Democrats still leaves Connecticut facing a budget shortfall of at least $355 million in fiscal year 2017, which is only six months away.

“When plans for the DoNo Hartford stadium were first proposed, the governor made it clear that this was not a state project. I hope he remains true to his word. Taxpayers should not have to shoulder another statewide burden.”

Background
On Friday June 6, 2014, Governor Malloy made the following statements concerning the stadium plans when asked if the state bond commission would contribute to funding the baseball stadium:

“I have made it very clear and continue to make it clear that we are not participating in this project…we’re not part of it.”

He also stated: “I’m not intending to be the mayor of cities…it’s up to cities what they want to do in their jurisdictions.”

When asked about funding for associated project costs, such as street realignments, Governor Malloy stated: “Honestly I don’t know anything about that…we have no intention of participating in this program…Don’t be counting on us.” To listen to the governor’s full statement, visit CT-N: http://ct-n.com/ondemand.asp?ID=10352.

Despite these assurances, Democrat lawmakers still proposed legislation in 2015 that would have allowed for a state subsidy to support the stadium with a bill that called for using the state’s admissions tax to go into a new account to help Hartford pay for the stadium’s construction. The legislation failed to pass.