Saints still an issue

• By MICHELLE MILLHOLLON
• Advocate staff writer
• Published: May 3, 2009

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Lawmakers will have at least two opportunities to vote on the proposal unveiled by Gov. Bobby Jindal and Saints owner Tom Benson to keep the NFL franchise in Louisiana.

The outcome will show whether legislators’ grumbling over the deal extends to the votes they ultimately will cast.

First, legislators must approve spending $85 million of a state surplus to renovate the Louisiana Superdome. Secondly,

Commissioner of Administration Angèle Davis said lawmakers will be asked to approve the state’s lease of office space from Benson.

Many legislators argue that the state should not be in the business of subsidizing a sports team when public health care and education are being threatened with massive cuts.

Lawmakers currently are contemplating how to handle a $1.3 billion shortfall for the budget year that starts July 1.

“The Saints resonate in New Orleans,” said state Rep. Avon Honey, D-Baton Rouge. “Outside New Orleans, people love them, but not to that extreme.”

State Rep. Eddie Lambert, R-Prairieville, said he is concerned about a for-profit business receiving money from the state.

“We have tremendous needs in this state. … That $85 million can go a long way toward helping Louisiana citizens,” he said.
Jindal downplayed the discord Friday, saying there is strong support for the proposal. 

He said the arrangement reduces the team’s reliance on state dollars by tying the subsidies to revenues generated by the Saints.

For instance, the more tickets the team sells, the less state money it would receive, Jindal said.

“The goal and the hope is they’ll be able to earn those dollars,” Jindal said.

The team currently is receiving $23.5 million a year from the state with few strings attached — money that the state is struggling to pay.