No Slowdown For Daytona Speedway Bill In Senate
MIAMI (CBSMIAMI/NSF) -- A proposal meant to allot $2 million a year using state sales-tax dollars to improve the Daytona International Speedway crossed its second hurdle in the Senate on Thursday.
The Senate Finance and Tax Subcommittee unanimously approved the proposal (SB 208), which sponsor Dorothy Hukill, R-Port Orange, has promoted as a job creator.
The money, totaling $60 million over 30 years, would help International Speedway Corp., which is putting up $375 million to $400 million for the project known as "Daytona Rising."
The project includes new entrances, expanded entertainment concourses, increased refreshment and concession areas and wider seating.
It is expected to be completed by January 2016.
A similar proposal during the 2013 session died as lawmakers blocked requests to direct state sales-tax money into a number of stadium projects.
In addition to the speedway, money was proposed last year for Sun Life Stadium in Miami Gardens and EverBank Field in Jacksonville, and construction of a soccer stadium in Orlando.
Hukill's proposal has also been approved by the Commerce and Tourism Committee and still must make stops in the Appropriations and Rules committees before reaching the Senate floor.
A House companion (HB 127), co-sponsored by Reps. Jason Brodeur, R-Sanford, and David Santiago, R-Deltona, has yet to be scheduled for a committee appearance.
The News Service of Florida contributed to this report.
