Legislation giving the Seattle SuperSonics a $60 million tax incentive if the team comes to Oklahoma City cleared the state Senate Tuesday.
Advertisement
The next step is for the House of Representatives to consider this latest version of this measure. If the House passes it, the bill goes to Gov. Brad Henry.
The Senate vote was 27-21 for the measure, Senate Bill 1819.
The bill will allow the SuperSonics to qualify for the state Quality Jobs Act.
This will permit the SuperSonics to get tax rebates for the next 15 years for the new jobs it brings to Oklahoma.
NBA owners meet Thursday and Friday in New York to consider allowing the team to relocate to Oklahoma City.
Co-Senate leader Glenn Coffee said it's important to have this tax incentive enacted because NBA owners want NBA teams to have strong financial footing.
He said the estimated state tax incentive is $60 million, but could be more.
The financial impact of having the Sonics in Oklahoma has been estimated at $180 million, said Coffee, R-Oklahoma City.
Sen. Randy Brogdon, R-Owasso, said he thought giving this tax incentive to the basketball team is unconstitutional.
Sen. Kenneth Corn, D-Poteau, asked Coffee how this legislation would benefit all of Oklahoma.
Coffee said people from all over Oklahoma bought tickets to come and see the New Orleans Hornets when that team was in Oklahoma City.
"It certainly sends a message to people wanting to do business. It showcases our state and it says we're ready for prime time,” Coffee said of the legislation.
The House put many amendments in an earlier version of this bill Monday, including other tax exemptions.
But all House amendments but two were left out of the latest version of the bill.
The two retained in the bill said other NBA teams and their players cannot benefit from the state Quality Jobs Act.
Thank you for joining our conversations on newsok. We encourage your discussions but ask that you stay within the bounds of our terms and conditions. Please help us by reporting comments that violate these guidelines. To review our rules of engagement, go to Commenting and posting policy.
True, the Big League City claim is flat when the BOG decided to include Tulsa in the market (and presume everyone that lives within that 90 or so mile radius of OKC)...we are a Big League State (at least in the BOG eyes)
Tom, although you're quite an impressive self proclaimed internet law expert, it doesn't look like the NBA is going to take your advise. You must be stunned.
From a PR stand point, the NBA would be committing suicide if they were to vote on this before all litigation was handled. They have enough damage control going on with star players getting in trouble with the law and I really don't think they have recovered from the sexual case in New York at the start of the season with the Knicks. With that being said, the additional time afforded to the parties involved, alot of what has not come out will be all over the press and additional owners will want to step away from it. The bottom line will be that both Stern and Bennett will be on the outside looking in.
Clay Bennett, Oklahoma City - Apr 16, 2008 at 9:54 am
The state and federal governments give incentives to businesses every day. The Sonic's relocation will energize Bricktown - both on game days and otherwise. It'll also put OKC on the tongues of people all over the country - priceless publicity.
More of the same, maps for millionaires. Socialism at its best, but only for the rich. If you really want to create jobs in Oklahoma, because this NBA team will not do that, pass a 100 million dollar incentive to attract another automobile assembly plant. That's what I call creating real jobs, much better than hot dog and beer salespeople.
How come the legislature can rush crap like this through (and I say it is crap as it won't CREATE jobs since the people who do the work in Seattle will just move here with the team) but they can't fix our roads, give state workers raises, fix our work comp system, fix our schools, etc...Oh, I know why...none of those important things will make a donation to their re-election fund. We should vote out all the incumbents in our state legislature and replace them with people who care about actually making Oklahoma a better place to live and a better place in which to do business.
I'm not here to bash the good people of Oklahoma but you might want to check this out and see what is being attemped to be stolen from us...maybe then you will understand: http://www.youtube.com/watch?
If they just wait until after the NBA vote - legislators could save the state $60-100 Million. The rush to do this shows it is unnecessary. I have details at www.reverserobinhood.com
Schultz plans to sue Sonics' owners Lawyer for... 04/16/2008 SEATTLE— Former Seattle SuperSonics owner Howard Schultz plans to sue to get the team back from its Oklahoma City-based ownership group. The lawyer for...
Can Starbucks' Schultz save face with steamed Seattle? 04/16/2008 As the clock ticks toward an NBA vote to relocate the SuperSonics to Oklahoma City — 48 hours and dwindling — the good citizens of Seattle are doing what...
Council approves lease with Sonics 04/16/2008 The lease is approved, and a decision on whether the Seattle SuperSonics will play at the Ford Center rests squarely with NBA owners. The NBA's Board of...
NBA asked to put off vote 04/16/2008 The Washington governor called on the NBA Tuesday to put off a vote on moving the Seattle SuperSonics to Oklahoma City. Team owners are meeting this week in...
14
Prev
Something to say about this topic? Submit a Letter to the Editor online
Thank you for joining our conversations on newsok. We encourage your discussions but ask that you stay within the bounds of our terms and conditions. Please help us by reporting comments that violate these guidelines. To review our rules of engagement, go to Commenting and posting policy.
Log in below or sign up (it's free).