Summary

The decision to give $135 million in taxpayer funds to benefit the Mariners Corporation represents everything wrong with politics in America today.

Story

King County Councilmember Dave Upthegrove is releasing the following statement regarding today’s 5-4 vote to direct $135 million public tax dollars to Safeco Field.

"The decision to give $135 million in taxpayer funds to benefit the Mariners Corporation represents everything wrong with politics in America today. A small group of millionaire business owners prevailed over the public good.

"The Mariners are a very profitable private business that can and should pay their own expenses. The only result of this misguided decision is that a small group of wealthy business owners will now make an additional $135 million in profit. In doing so, the people lose $135 million that could have been spent on tourism promotion, housing, or other critical public services."