Highlights in Annapolis - DC United Rally for New Stadium 3-17-09

One of the largest (and certainly the noisiest) rallies in Annapolis this session occurred today on Lawyer's Mall with a procession to the House Office Building.

Was it for or against the death penalty?  No.  Major social issues?  No.  For or against budget cuts, the arts, the Governor?  No, No, No.

It was for Senate Bill 1020/House Bill 1282 which would provide a new home for the DC United soccer team in a state-of-the-art stadium in Prince George's County.

The stadium proposal was announced in February by DC United and Prince George's County officials with many accolades to the fact that it would not require any taxpayer dollars.  But it would require a state guarantee through the Maryland Stadium Authority for revenues to support the bonds that finance the stadium's construction.

And less than a month after the announcement, DC United requested that Prince George's County also issue bonds to support the stadium project.

While supporters of the team rally in Annapolis, lobby through a massive email campaign and express their support on the website of La Norte, the soccer team's vocal and outspoken fan club, legislators grow increasingly sceptical of the financial package proposed to support the repayment of government construction bonds.