Sun Life Stadium | Credit: Sun Life

“I like the Dolphins, I even still like Dan Marino,” said Senate Commerce and Tourism Committee Chair Nancy Detert, R-Venice, as a proposal to upgrade the stadium went before her committee Tuesday.

Detert’s comments came with concerns over the narrow focus of the bill, Senate Bill 316, that seeks to let local county officials approve an additional penny bed tax that would help cover the public portions of $400 million in renovations to the 25-year-old complex in Miami Gardens.

The bill also provides the team, which must cover at least 51 percent of the upgrades, with $3 million in sales tax breaks for 30 years

While the committee unanimously voted -- Sen. Alan Hays, R-Umatilla, gave a “Go Dolphins” before voting yes -- to back the bill, Detert said she had never voted before for a bill designed for a single team.

“It’s not like I’m looking to expand it to more teams, there is something inherent that bothers me about writing legislations that just outlines the parameters so that is the only guy can qualify,” she said after the hearing.

Even with the committee approval, the stadium deal is a long way from the end zone, with at least two other committee hearings on the way and a visit to the governor’s desk. Once approved, a supermajority of the Miami-Dade County Commission must still approve the penny bed tax boost.

Bills have been filed, Senate Bill 358 and House Bill 219, that would provide sales tax breaks on a $90 million to $100 million, 18,000-to-20,000-seat soccer stadium that would allow Orlando to attract Major League Soccer to Florida.

Meanwhile, additional proposals are anticipated to cover upgrades at Daytona International Speedway and EverBank Stadium for the Jacksonville Jaguars.

Sen. Aaron Bean, R-Fernandina Beach, anticipating the Jacksonville Jaguars seeking for stadium upgrades argued the deal should be considered a blueprint for other sport franchises in Florida.

“One thing this is not is a giveaway; we’re not giving away the money to the Miami Dolphins, it’s an investment, they have to earn the money,” Bean said.

Sen. Gwen Margolis, D-Miami, called the proposal “worthwhile,” as the state would continue to receive sales taxes off revenues that surpass the $3 million mark, as the Dolphins report revenue between $7 million and $8 million a year in the stadium.

“You have a sure deal here, you know it’s going to employ more people, you know it’s going to bring in more money,” Margolis said.



Reach Jim Turner at jturner@sunshinestatenews.com or at (772) 215-9889.