Former Gov. Mike Foster on Saints' deal

DomeFoam · 05-19-2005, 10:50 PM

http://www.2theadvocate.com/stories/...ters1001.shtml

Once again, in today's paper, I read an article in which my own state senator, Butch Gautreaux, criticized the Saints deal. Granted, he is not too quick and seems to be wrong on most things, but it is still disappointing to read, nonetheless.

In addition, I would like to congratulate the Legislature for not falling for a bill by Sen. Rob Marioneaux that would forever keep the state from working with a sports franchise.

If we are going to argue about this issue, please remember the words of my good friend David Tyree of WWL radio who likes to say about the deal, "I (the state of Louisiana) will give you $1 all day long if you (the Saints) give me $2 back." For the record, the last thing I did before signing this agreement was to check with a noted, reputable economist to verify that this agreement would not only keep the franchise in our state but would continue to make the state money into the future. The majority of what the state pays out comes from the hotel/motel tax (paid for by out-of-state visitors, not our own taxpayers) and the rest of what is paid to the team is doubled or tripled back to the state through revenues generated by the Saints' organization.

I am so tired of hearing people speculate where they're going to spend the money if we run the Saints off or where the money should have been spent. The fact is, without the Saints, we will have to find money to replace what we will lose. Losing the Saints will result in another state's gain of an NFL team, Louisiana's permanent loss of an NFL franchise, loss of high-paying jobs in the New Orleans area and a hole in the state budget that will be almost impossible to fill.

M.J. "Mike" Foster Jr., former governor
Baton Rouge

05-19-2005, 10:50 PM	#1
DomeFoam Registered Join Date: Jul 2002 Posts: 62	Former Gov. Mike Foster on Saints' deal http://www.2theadvocate.com/stories/...ters1001.shtml Once again, in today's paper, I read an article in which my own state senator, Butch Gautreaux, criticized the Saints deal. Granted, he is not too quick and seems to be wrong on most things, but it is still disappointing to read, nonetheless. In addition, I would like to congratulate the Legislature for not falling for a bill by Sen. Rob Marioneaux that would forever keep the state from working with a sports franchise. If we are going to argue about this issue, please remember the words of my good friend David Tyree of WWL radio who likes to say about the deal, "I (the state of Louisiana) will give you $1 all day long if you (the Saints) give me $2 back." For the record, the last thing I did before signing this agreement was to check with a noted, reputable economist to verify that this agreement would not only keep the franchise in our state but would continue to make the state money into the future. The majority of what the state pays out comes from the hotel/motel tax (paid for by out-of-state visitors, not our own taxpayers) and the rest of what is paid to the team is doubled or tripled back to the state through revenues generated by the Saints' organization. I am so tired of hearing people speculate where they're going to spend the money if we run the Saints off or where the money should have been spent. The fact is, without the Saints, we will have to find money to replace what we will lose. Losing the Saints will result in another state's gain of an NFL team, Louisiana's permanent loss of an NFL franchise, loss of high-paying jobs in the New Orleans area and a hole in the state budget that will be almost impossible to fill. M.J. "Mike" Foster Jr., former governor Baton Rouge
DomeFoam Registered Join Date: Jul 2002 Posts: 62	Tap the DOME! New FORUM OH YEAH!