Miami May Avoid Marlins Property Tax
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (CBSMiami/NSF) – The Florida House of Representatives denied an amendment that would have forced Miami to keep a possible $2 million property tax for Marlins Park.
When the Marlins negotiated the terms of a deal with city officials, the city was left on the hook for the property taxes on the garage. The Marlins essentially told the city that it was their responsibility and the team wouldn't contribute to pay for the tax owed to the county.
So, a group of South Florida lawmakers attached a provision to a tax bill making its way through the legislature that would have exempted Miami from the taxes on the property.
But, according to the News Service of Florida, South Florida Representative Ana Rivas Logan, R-Miami, put an amendment on the bill that would have removed the exemption for the city. She wanted the city to force the baseball team to pay the tax.
Opponents of Rivas Logan's amendment said if it passed, it would force the city to pay the $2 million per year tax. Rivas Logan told the NSF she received a threat that told her to pull the amendment, which she didn't do.
The amendment was soundly defeated on a 73-41 vote, which means the city may still get out of having to pay for the tax. The entire bill the tax provision is attached to may come up for a full House vote as early as Wednesday, according to the News Service of Florida.
(TM and © Copyright 2012 CBS Radio Inc. and its relevant subsidiaries. CBS RADIO and EYE Logo TM and Copyright 2012 CBS Broadcasting Inc. Used under license. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. The News Service Of Florida contributed to this report.)
