Seventh-Inning Stretch · Stadium Wars
The Car Dealer's Crusade
Braman v. Miami-Dade County (2008)
Charge: Public financing challenge - wealthy car dealer says stadium bond and tax deals needed a public vote and broke state law (suit against the county and city)Court: Circuit Court of the Eleventh Judicial Circuit, Miami-Dade County, FloridaDocket: Stadium Wars
Did a county's plan to finance a new ballpark with tax-increment bonds and tourist taxes require approval by voters?
The facts
In 2008 Miami-Dade County and the City of Miami approved a roughly $3 billion package of public projects, including a new retractable-roof ballpark for the local big-league club, a port tunnel, park and museum work and a streetcar. Much of it would be paid for with tourist taxes, bonds and tax-increment money from redevelopment districts. A wealthy local car dealer sued, arguing that the bonds and financing plan required approval by voters, that officials had skirted open-government rules, and that public money should not build a private team's stadium.
You have the facts the court had. Guilty or not guilty? Call it in the game with your friends, then see what the court actually decided. Wrong call, you drink.
Citation: Braman v. Miami-Dade County, Miami-Dade County Circuit Court (Judge Jeri Beth Cohen), final count dismissed Nov. 21, 2008 (no reported opinion)
Read more at bondbuyer.com. The source reveals the outcome.