As the only the professional sports franchise in America that is paid by a state to subsidize the revenue, I thought it was time to again revisit the absurd politics in Louisiana.
As we all know, Louisiana teachers are left to fend for themselves for many school supplies and then we have to give tax payers money to a team approaching a value of 1 Billion Dollar.
1. The state pays Tom Benson about 8.5 million a year in an effort to keep him in Louisiana.
(Then Benson went to court to avoid paying taxes on it... ha.)
2. The state pays for the upgrades on Superdome and lets Benson keep money on the luxury boxes and use of the dome. (Why is New Orleans not paying for all of this like other cities....Who knows.)
3. The state pays for private office space owned by Benson around the Superdome.
(Add another few million that La Tax payers owe. Edwin Edwards must be proud)
Estimated money to the Saints over 20 million a year directly related to La tax payers money.
Ever economic study, I have seen in the last 5 years says this is a lose/lose proposal when cities..(not states) put up money and expect some huge economic impact. The call a redistribution of wealth not additional money.
What the Saints going to make in 2010-11- This is from Forbes.
(Operating Salaries 160million...operating expense 29million...
Gate Rcpts 55million. total revenue per year 261million.)
This suggest Benson pockets a cool 127 million dollars and that doesn't include the rentals the state pays him in his scheme on the Louisiana population.
Lets take just the upfront 8,5 million each year and pour it into education.
Forget the other 10's of millions.
There are about 700,000 students in Louisiana --- You can do the math!
La continues to rank toward the bottom of the national education list,
it is little wonder, since the Teachers have less to work with than they should.
I heard some Saints fans saying they should be America's team.
Well some Americans want Socialism and it is strong on the I-10 corridor, but it is not something I would support.
j
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
2 comments:
Excellent Post John! Couldnt have said it better myself. With my wife being a 3rd grade teacher now, I have felt the burdon of paying for all the school supplies that the teacher has to pay out of pocket!
Chris Rightsell
Thanks Chris,
I know you are a diehard Saints fan, especially with a dog named Brees.
This isn't about the team, I still want and expected Saint Sean to get his 2nd Superbowl this year.
I must admit that the lack of turnovers on Defense makes me think my prediction of a Saints Super Bowl is not going to happen.
j
Post a Comment