Add Major League Baseball commissioner Bud Selig to the growing list of constituents who oppose the “Cubs Tax,” which would apply a small surcharge to all Cactus League tickets in order to help fund the construction of new facilities in Mesa, Arizona to keep the Cubs springing there.
An Arizona attorney hired by Selig’s office says a proposal to create a surcharge on tickets to all Phoenix-area spring training games is unfair.
Attorney Pat Ray made his comments during a legislative committee hearing Wednesday morning.
The legislation proposed by Phoenix Republican Rep. John McComish would add a $1 surcharge on auto rentals and an 8 percent surcharge on tickets to spring-training games played in Maricopa County, which includes the entire Phoenix area. SI.com.
I imagine Bud is wildly popular in Mesa right about now. It’s unclear whether the Commissioner’s Office could impact the plan – actually or functionally – but for now, things move forward. The Arizona legislature is advancing the measure, and the associated bill has come out of committee, ready for debate.