Those polled were then told that "Williams and D.C. business leaders" say a baseball team and stadium would "increase pride in the city, bring new businesses and jobs, and help revitalize the neighborhoods." Opponents, meanwhile, "say that the economic benefits are exaggerated and that city money should go to more important needs like the police, schools, health care and street repair."
On the second question, support for public financing fell to 23 percent, while opposition rose to 70 percent. Six percent were undecided.
Mayor Anthony A. Williams says financing the stadium would not take away from services.
(File Photo)
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"We think that baseball would be great for the District," Kendrick said. "But I think we ought to find a way to proceed that requires private investment."
While the poll is two months old, the debate over how to pay for a ballpark is figuring prominently in some campaigns for the D.C. Council, now shifting into high gear in advance of the Sept. 14 primary. At a candidate forum sponsored by AARP, for example, two Democrats vying to replace at-large council member Harold Brazil (D) drew approving murmurs from the audience when they said they would oppose public funding.
Brazil, who supports it, promised to make sure the city would "not use any money that's in the treasury today."
Brazil is a key figure in the stadium debate. As chairman of the council's committee on economic development -- and a member of Evans's finance committee -- his vote would be needed to pass a tax on business.
Yesterday, Evans urged baseball officials to make a decision fast, before D.C. voters have a chance to change his committee's composition. In addition to Brazil, Evans's committee includes Kevin P. Chavous (D-Ward 7), who faces a tough race against former human services director Vincent Gray.
"We better get this done before January 1," Evans said. "Clearly, if they both lose, yeah, we got a different ballgame."
