Related articles:

Lawmakers whiff on effort to save Tucson baseball Baseball tax vote could be too costly No Pima County vote on a tax for baseball House signals support for Tucson baseball tax bill

Other articles by Daniel Scarpinato:

Political Notebook by Daniel Scarpinato : Napolitano isn't one to underestimate GOP's Palin Joe Sweeney likely to win a primary race for 2nd time GOP convention is packed with meaning for Arizona Political Notebook by Daniel Scarpinato : '08 race for presidency is covering fresh turf McCain and Biden go way back together In leaders, age is a cultural touchstone McCain, in Phx., turns up the heat on Obama State Dem leaders: Clinton supporters a challenge for Obama Bee ad says 'S. Arizonans are victims' S. Arizona will have diverse delegation at Dems' national bash

Driver/Transportation
Pioneer Landscaping
Dieel Fleet Mechanic Dental
DENTAL ASSISTANT Employment Information
Vail School District
Recruitment Coordinator General
.
MYSTERY SHOPPERS Health Care
Sonora Behavioral Health
CD Therapist General
APARTMENT LEASING CONSULTANT Health Care
CORE SOURCE
RN UTILIZATION MANAGEMENT

PHOENIX — Although the attempt to salvage spring training in Tucson hit a foul ball at the Legislature last week, business leaders involved hope it's not the end of the ballgame.

The failed plan, introduced in the final days of the legislative session, called for a countywide vote asking Pima County residents to institute a range of new sales-tax rates on hotels, restaurants, rental cars, bars, retail and movies to pay for stadium construction and upgrades.

Now, in the wake of its demise, Cactus League supporters are keeping their message optimistic and promising not to give up.

Most are stumped, however, on what to do next. And any plan to salvage spring training baseball still relies on legislative action in time for a vote in early to mid-2009.

The options:

● If legislators are called back for a special session this fall to hammer out issues in the state budget, they could revisit the Southern Arizona baseball legislation if they include it on their agenda.

● Or, when next year's session starts in January, the bill could be passed with an emergency clause allowing for the spring election supporters desire.

That move would take a super-majority, however, and require more votes than the bill had the first time around.

But Cactus League supporters know this much: They can't keep Major League Baseball teams from leaving without a tax hike, since other cities, including some in Arizona, are offering amenities and facilities to teams that Pima County just can't afford.

"We are still in a position where we feel we need a renewable source of capital," said Tom Tracy, a board member of the interim local sports authority and a member of the Southern Arizona Lodging and Resort Association.

Spring training is estimated to have a $31 million economic impact here. The total size of Tucson's economy is $27 billion.

The first hit to Southern Arizona came in 2006, when the Chicago White Sox announced plans to relocate from Tucson to an $80 million stadium being constructed near Glendale.

That dims the prospects of keeping the Arizona Diamondbacks and the Colorado Rockies from leaving, since their contracts call for three local major league teams to ensure other teams will play in Tucson and that there are enough local teams for practice games.

"I honestly don't know what our options are at this point," said Martin Willett, Pima County's chief deputy administrator. "I'm not sure we have any."

The legislation cleared the House on the last day of the session last week, but it was in the Senate where things got sidetracked.

Supporters had the votes they needed for the bill to pass.

But after a nearly four-hour standoff over a ballot referendum to define marriage in the state constitution, the chamber was left with a bare minimum of senators.

The baseball legislation and a slew of other bills died.

"It's unfortunate it ended the way it did, but it's not the end of the ballgame," said Jack Camper, president of the Tucson Metropolitan Chamber of Commerce.

"We were hanging an awful lot on getting the authority through the Legislature."

Lawmakers, including those from Southern Arizona, were initially cool to the idea of calling for a county election.

But the legislation underwent hourly changes last week and eventually won support.

Even if it had passed the Legislature, it would have faced another hurdle: Pima County voters, who would get to decide whether to pay the bill for millions in stadium upgrades and the possible construction of an entirely new facility.

State Rep. Jonathan Paton, a Tucson Republican, said reviving the effort would require a lot of lobbying by its backers — but that it's not impossible.

"You could get something through the Legislature, but you need to start now," Paton said. "Someone needs to go do the hard work and educate (legislative) candidates who are running now, before they're in office."

Also, support for the bill may be shaky among current lawmakers.

Some, even those who eventually supported the bill, suggested Tucson's long-held status as a spring training destination may have run its course.

But those in the business community say it's a vital part of the local economy.

It's not about sentiment, Camper said. "It has to do with Tucson's image and whether we want to be a major league community or a minor league community."