How does Chase Field's political drama compare with other states? We asked an expert
The Arizona Diamondbacks have been trying to revamp Chase Field for years now. So far, that journey has left them without the proper funds to renovate the 27-year-old stadium.
On the to-do list is fixing the retractable roof, which team officials can't open with people in the stadium because of the risk factor. Upgrades to the HVAC system, widening the concourses and a new premium section are on the list as well.
This year, they're betting on a public-private partnership deal introduced by state Rep. Jeff Weninger. The Chandler Republican introduced House Bill 2704 that would redirect the sales and income tax generated by the team to an improvement fund.
The bill passed the House on a bipartisan vote, but on Monday, a Senate committee approved an amendment. The new version removes a provision that would have redirected income taxes generated by the team and its staff to the stadium, meaning those dollars would continue to go to state, county and city coffers.
It proposes a 50-50 split between Phoenix and Maricopa County to provide as much as $500 million a year from the sales taxes collected at the stadium – a change that prompted the county to oppose the bill.
This week on The Gaggle, a politics podcast by The Arizona Republic and azcentral.com, hosts Ron Hansen and Mary Jo Pitzl are joined by Bret McCormick. He's a beat writer for the Sports Business Journal covering fan experiences, ticketing and sports facilities.
Bret talks with Ron and Mary Jo about the reality of the Diamondbacks ballpark situation and how Arizona compares to other states in similar positions. Later in the episode, Ron and Mary Jo break down the bipartisan support — and bipartisan opposition — the bill is finding in the Legislature.
The best way to listen is to subscribe to The Gaggle on your favorite podcast app, but you also can stream the full episode below.
Note: The Gaggle is intended to be heard. But we also offer an AI transcript of the episode script. There may be slight deviations from the podcast audio.
Follow The Gaggle and all azcentral podcasts on X, formerly Twitter and Instagram.
Listen to The Gaggle : Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Stitcher
You can share your thoughts with us at 602-444-0804 or via email here.
Reach the producer Amanda Luberto at aluberto@gannett.com. Follow her on X, formerly Twitter @amandaluberto and on Bluesky @amandaluberto.
This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Chase Field revamp hits snags in Legislature. What to know
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Hill
an hour ago
- The Hill
The decline of coal isn't a conspiracy — it's the market reality
A core misunderstanding fuels a recent lawsuit that has made headlines. The Republican attorneys general of Texas and 10 other states have accused some of the nation's largest asset managers of 'colluding' to harm coal companies, claiming falsely that the decline of coal is the result of some coordinated political vendetta rather than simple, demonstrable market economics. With the Justice Department and Federal Trade Commission joining the conversation, it is important to delve into the details and consider market trends over the past few decades. Coal's decline in the U.S. did not start with asset managers or so-called 'environmental, social and governance' or ESG investment policies. It started decades ago, with the shale gas revolution, when fracking technology unleashed an abundant, cheap and cleaner-burning alternative. U.S. Energy Information Administration data show that U.S. coal production was 1.13 trillion short tons in 2001, but by 2020 that number had declined to 535 billion short tons — its lowest level since 1965. Natural gas outcompeted coal because it made economic sense. It has lower operating costs, fewer regulatory burdens and, perhaps most importantly, reduced environmental impact. Add in the drop in the cost of renewables, and coal's decline was predictable. Asset managers saw the writing on the wall and adjusted their investments, as their fiduciary duty to their clients demands. This is about economics, not ideology — business decisions, not politics. Power utilities, manufacturers and even global markets have made decisions based on price, efficiency and reliability. We know this because coal's decline happened in both public and private coal companies. Coal companies themselves have noted the decline in prior Securities and Exchange Commission annual reports. Capital flows based on competitive advantage, not political talking points. What these attorneys general attempt to frame as 'coal collusion' is, in fact, a textbook example of fiduciary responsibility and following industry direction. Asset managers have a legal duty to evaluate long-term risks and returns for their clients. When coal projects increasingly face uncertain demand, regulatory headwinds and operational volatility, it is prudent investing to limit exposure. The lawsuit itself notes that coal production increased (incrementally) in 2021, the first year of the supposed 'conspiracy.' This further shows the inconsistency of the argument, raising questions about whether the lawsuit is really about coal or about weaponizing an economic trend — a dangerous precedent to set. We must be honest about what's happening to coal, and to energy more broadly. Rather than distort reality for short-term political gain, let's focus on developing solutions that respect our economic system, support innovation and ensure energy security. The real conversation we should be having is about ensuring energy abundance through all means. Let's talk about how to accelerate nuclear energy, streamline permitting for cleaner domestic production, invest in resilient grid infrastructure, and maintain American leadership in next-generation energy technologies. Allowing for a truly 'all of the above' energy strategy enables investments in diverse, dependable and secure energy sources. Climate, energy and market decisions are complex and intertwined. They deserve meticulous debate. It's time to refocus the conversation on pragmatism and opportunity — not partisan politicking. We should all care about America's energy future, and to best do so, we have to stop pretending market evolution is sabotage. The decline of coal in the U.S. is simply capitalism doing exactly what conservatives have always trusted it to do: adapt and allocate capital where it best serves growth, stability and prosperity. Benji Backer is the Founder and CEO of Nature Is Nonpartisan. He also serves as the executive chairman of the American Conservation Coalition and is the best-selling author of 'The Conservative Environmentalist: Common Sense Solutions for a Sustainable Future.'
CNN
an hour ago
- CNN
Rep. Byron Donalds: Americans do not trust Democrats to fix the border
Florida Republican Congressman Byron Donalds and candidate for governor explains how previous administrations failed to properly address the immigration crisis.
New York Post
an hour ago
- New York Post
Lefties' assisted suicide push and more: Letters to the Editor — June 15, 2025
Slide to suicide Rep. Elise Stefanik was spot on ('Cruel 'Choice,' ' PostOpinion, June 12)! While the heartless and soul-less 'compassionate' far-leftists who have wormed their way into a near supermajority in the Legislature strike one more blow against faith and humanity, our governor has her licked finger in the air looking for direction and/or donations. While the left and its media sycophants chastise President Trump and Republicans as 'Nazis,' the left quietly goes about passing pro-euthanization laws that would put a smile of the faces of Josef Mengele and Adolf Hilter. They are in favor of aborting the viable and now exterminating the ill. Assisted suicide has now become one of Canada's top causes of death. Our self-serving 'leaders,' who couldn't run even a small business, are pushing New York down a path towards spiritual, moral, economic and physical death. Demetrius Kalamaras, Staten Island Tulsi's nuke fears If Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard wants to get us away from 'nuclear holocaust,' she can begin by supporting stronger arms to Ukraine ('Doom to repeat,' June 12). The conflict began in 2014, when the Obama administration failed to enforce the Budapest Memorandum and punish Russia for illegally annexing Crimea. There's a direct link between that failure and the current administration not being able to convince Iran to give up enriching uranium. The Iranians have seen first-hand what happens when a country does just that. The only way to fix this is a decisive victory for the rule of law. Daniel Kuncio, Tribeca Name games In regards to Connetquot High School and their 'Thunderbirds' team name, there is currently an American Hockey League team in Massachusetts by the name of the Springfield Thunderbirds ('$23M for the birds,' June 11) The team's inaugural season was 2016! If a professional hockey team can call themselves the Thunderbirds (with a bird mascot), there's no reason why a high school can't keep/use the same name. James Lautier, Windsor, Conn. Reining in rats Thank you for 'NYC's rat war family feud now' (June 10). Cleanliness is ideal and a great deterrent. Containerizing trash has been helping, which makes sense. When food isn't available, then there won't be many rodents around. The article also mentions lacing rat bait with birth control. Tactics like this seem far more humane than glue traps, which cause prolonged and severe suffering, all while doing nothing to address root causes. Many people may not like rats, but they shouldn't have that type of agony inflicted upon them. In terms of disease, the Centers for Disease Control advises against glue traps because the urine from stuck animals is out in the open and can spread pathogens. James Scotto, Yorktown Heights Cow control So now our lefty pols are concerned with cow methane and manure pollution ('The War on . . . Cows?' Editorial, June 11). If there were a million cows in New York, it wouldn't compare to the pollution currently created by the methane excreted from the mouths of these brainless progressives. Karl Olsen, Watervliet Want to weigh in on today's stories? Send your thoughts (along with your full name and city of residence) to letters@ Letters are subject to editing for clarity, length, accuracy, and style.
