Save Our Sonics Rally in Olympia

[SeaTown81]

URGENT RALLY: Sonics fans gather in Support of Current Legislation at Washington State Legislative Building

Where: Legislative Building, Olympia, WA

When: Saturday, March 8, 10-11am

What: Supporters of the legislation to fund a Key Arena Renovation package proposed by Seattle Mayor Greg Nichols and supported by new potential tean ownership will gather at the steps of the legislative building encouraging members of legislature to pass the proposal during the current legislative session.

Participants are encouraged to wear Sonics logo clothing and all participants will receive a complimentary Save Our Sonics T-Shirt.

Contact: Questions regarding this event or RSVP

[HeavyP]

They'll be in session early tomorrow, 9 in the House and 10 in the senate, I think. There's VERY LITTLE CHANCE that this will have any effect, given that the budgets are already written and now they're in conference committee. The best thing your people can do is go to the House and Senate doors and send notes in to your legislators.

This is what one of my friends said when I forwarded him the email. He works for the legislators in Olympia.

[jenn_gp]

I'd love to go, but I have to go to the doctor's as a walk-in. I don't know when I'll be able to get in since I don't have an appointment. I've had a terrible cold for two months straight and yesterday was my breaking point.

I'd love to go if I get out in time, but considering it's in Enumclaw and they open at 8 am, I doubt I'll make it to the rally.

[captain_ballard]

Going to the doors is exactlywhat we will be doing. We can hit it at 10am, hopefully have a photo opp, then go in to sit in the balconies with signs, then go to the doors.

We know that this is so last minute it is going to be really difficult, but as we are saying to the legislature we cannot let last minute timing stand in the way of doing the right thing. We've been told by numerous people who know that just getting some live bodies to Olympia to put a face on this thing makes a difference. Maybe Rally is the wrong word for it but unions cart out 15-20 people to make a statemment to legislature all the time. We need to do more than that.

This may be your only shot to influence this thing. Don't get lazy and then regret trying to do something.

[CatchNShoot]

I went to the rally today. Here are my observations:

1. 200 to 250 in attendance. I counted two TV crews, maybe three, and around 10 photographers. James Donaldson and Softy did interviews with the TV stations while Brian, Steve, and the lobbyist spoke to the crowd. Then Softy and Donaldson addressed the crowd. Each made the point that Clay is saying the team is not for sale today, but that doesn't mean his stance is permanent.

2. After leading a chant of "Save Our Sonics" everyone went inside and sat in the balconies of the Senate (the House of Reps didn't have any legislators in it). When we left, Softy said to the Senators on the floor, "Well, are you going to do it? This is a once in a lifetime opportunity." Or something like that.

3. Next everyone went downstairs and wrote notes to their district reps, which the pages took inside to the legislators. Some of the legislators came out and spoke to groups of fans. Sonic fans asked intelligent questions and weren't afraid to challenge them to do the right thing. The legislators received applause in thanks for their willingness to talk. More on what they said in a second.

4. Before I get to the meat of the discussions, I want to praise Brian, Steve, and the lobbyist for setting the respectful tone and helping people get in front of the legislators. Softy also deserves a lot of praise. He was a man on a mission, involved in almost every discussion, and clearly championing the cause of the fans instead of acting like an egocentric quasi-celebrity. The legislators who came out were also very approachable and personable. Some played dumb, which was frustrating, but a few were very frank, which was refreshing.

5. I don't remember the names of the representatives who spoke, but I heard a somewhat consistent message. First, state taxes will not be used to fund arena improvements, but the legislature is supportive of extending the local hotel/motel tax in King County. Apparently the tax will result in a lot more money than $75 million (maybe $800 million?), so it needs to be determined how to divide it among special interest projects like Key Arena and other major civic improvements in the County. That's something the County will need to sort out. In any case, there is plenty of money for the Key Arena and the other projects, although maybe not enough for the University of Washington @ $300 million.

6. The legislature is saying that it will not be able to vote on the resolution this session, but will instead issue a letter to public essentially committing the legislature to approving it next year. Many Sonic fans felt a letter is not enough, but the legislators seem convinced that the letter will have the desired effect with the NBA. Among other things, they are incredibly confident the City will win the lawsuit, which will keep the team here for two years, and makes the actual passage of the resolution less urgent. When asked if the City and County support the letter, the legislators didn't say - either it's too early to say or they haven't heard anything.

7. My thoughts: I tend to believe that in politics everything is scripted well in advance of the action. (For example, I believe the Democrats and media knew back in Iowa that Florida and Michigan would be the endgame to the primary season, and that everyone is simply playing their roles until that day comes.) Regarding the Sonics, I don't believe it is an accident that the City made the plans public at the last minute, or that the State is madly trying to catch up with the will of the people.

Rather, I think that the City and the State have been on this trajectory since December, with the sole intent of calling the BOG'S bluff in April instead of needlessly capitulating to a hollow threat in advance by allocating $75 million before the team is even sold. They don't believe the NBA is truly willing to go through the lawsuit and walk away from this market. However, instead of callously saying that, they're claiming that there isn't enough time to act right now.

Also, the act of issuing a letter instead of passing a resolution effectively passes the buck to the local level without prematurely committing the State financially. I gather from the City's press conference that they want this ability, but is a letter enough? I don't know. This is the biggest question of all. It depends precisely on what it says and guarantees versus fluffy dream talk.

Overall, the point was made loud and clear, and I think many legislators on the fringe were surprised by 250 Sonic fans walking around the halls. In this regard, the day was a success. We got their attention.

My hat is off to all who came - what a great sight it was. Fathers and sons, families of four, loners like me, and everyone else, all decked out in Sonic green and gold chanting Save our Sonics! That's something you never forget. It was a good day. SOS deserves a monument when the refurbished Key is opened in 2012.

[jenn_gp]

Wow! Thanks for the recap Catch. I wish I could have went, but like I said I had to go to the doctor. I waited for about two hours to get in, so there was no way I could have made it.

I don't know if I like the "letter" strategy. When you think about it, it sort of makes sense, but I still don't think they feel that sense of urgency that we need so badly. I don't really like how they're putting all their eggs in one basket in believing the city will win the court battle against the Sonics.

If you have someone as intelligent and supportive such as Slade Gorton telling you that there is enough time to act on a vote this session and that it's approval is absolutely crucial towards keeping the team here, I'm not so sure the letter route is the best choice.

Thanks again for the recap. It was killing me I couldn't make it to Olympia today.

[wiff]

I went to the rally today. Here are my observations:

1. 200 to 250 in attendance. I counted two TV crews, maybe three, and around 10 photographers. James Donaldson and Softy did interviews with the TV stations while Brian, Steve, and the lobbyist spoke to the crowd. Then Softy and Donaldson addressed the crowd. Each made the point that Clay is saying the team is not for sale today, but that doesn't mean his stance is permanent.

2. After leading a chant of "Save Our Sonics" everyone went inside and sat in the balconies of the Senate (the House of Reps didn't have any legislators in it). When we left, Softy said to the Senators on the floor, "Well, are you going to do it? This is a once in a lifetime opportunity." Or something like that.

3. Next everyone went downstairs and wrote notes to their district reps, which the pages took inside to the legislators. Some of the legislators came out and spoke to groups of fans. Sonic fans asked intelligent questions and weren't afraid to challenge them to do the right thing. The legislators received applause in thanks for their willingness to talk. More on what they said in a second.

4. Before I get to the meat of the discussions, I want to praise Brian, Steve, and the lobbyist for setting the respectful tone and helping people get in front of the legislators. Softy also deserves a lot of praise. He was a man on a mission, involved in almost every discussion, and clearly championing the cause of the fans instead of acting like an egocentric quasi-celebrity. The legislators who came out were also very approachable and personable. Some played dumb, which was frustrating, but a few were very frank, which was refreshing.

5. I don't remember the names of the representatives who spoke, but I heard a somewhat consistent message. First, state taxes will not be used to fund arena improvements, but the legislature is supportive of extending the local hotel/motel tax in King County. Apparently the tax will result in a lot more money than $75 million (maybe $800 million?), so it needs to be determined how to divide it among special interest projects like Key Arena and other major civic improvements in the County. That's something the County will need to sort out. In any case, there is plenty of money for the Key Arena and the other projects, although maybe not enough for the University of Washington @ $300 million.

6. The legislature is saying that it will not be able to vote on the resolution this session, but will instead issue a letter to public essentially committing the legislature to approving it next year. Many Sonic fans felt a letter is not enough, but the legislators seem convinced that the letter will have the desired effect with the NBA. Among other things, they are incredibly confident the City will win the lawsuit, which will keep the team here for two years, and makes the actual passage of the resolution less urgent. When asked if the City and County support the letter, the legislators didn't say - either it's too early to say or they haven't heard anything.

7. My thoughts: I tend to believe that in politics everything is scripted well in advance of the action. (For example, I believe the Democrats and media knew back in Iowa that Florida and Michigan would be the endgame to the primary season, and that everyone is simply playing their roles until that day comes.) Regarding the Sonics, I don't believe it is an accident that the City made the plans public at the last minute, or that the State is madly trying to catch up with the will of the people.

Rather, I think that the City and the State have been on this trajectory since December, with the sole intent of calling the BOG'S bluff in April instead of needlessly capitulating to a hollow threat in advance by allocating $75 million before the team is even sold. They don't believe the NBA is truly willing to go through the lawsuit and walk away from this market. However, instead of callously saying that, they're claiming that there isn't enough time to act right now.

Also, the act of issuing a letter instead of passing a resolution effectively passes the buck to the local level without prematurely committing the State financially. I gather from the City's press conference that they want this ability, but is a letter enough? I don't know. This is the biggest question of all. It depends precisely on what it says and guarantees versus fluffy dream talk.

Overall, the point was made loud and clear, and I think many legislators on the fringe were surprised by 250 Sonic fans walking around the halls. In this regard, the day was a success. We got their attention.

My hat is off to all who came - what a great sight it was. Fathers and sons, families of four, loners like me, and everyone else, all decked out in Sonic green and gold chanting Save our Sonics! That's something you never forget. It was a good day. SOS deserves a monument when the refurbished Key is opened in 2012.

Bravo Catch and to all who went to Olympia. I did not make the drive from Spokane. But I'm glad to hear that it feels like a success.

Keep it up everyone!

[Patches Pal]

I am betting they call a special session for next Friday. There seems to be alot of talk that wasn't there before and a sense in the legislature that they had better do something quick. The legislative leaders seemed to all be in the back room today.

[CatchNShoot]

Here is my thinking this morning:

1. King County issued a letter on February 13, 2007, saying that the decision to use additional King County taxes must be made by the voters.
http://www.metrokc.gov/MKCC/news/2007/0207/CNCLgregoire_LTR.pdf

2. The draft legislation before the legislature would authorize King County to extend the taxes to the Key Arena.
http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/ABPub/2008/03/06/2004265635.pdf

If the legislature gave authorization to King County, many voters would hold the Council to the 2007 letter, which means a public vote to extend the tax. The vote would likely fail, or at least be difficult to approve, although the proposal is much better today than it was in 2007.

So, given the uncertainty, what's the legislature going to do? Maybe wrap it into a tax proposal that goes a lot further than Key Arena, like the $800 million proposal Rep. Goodman talked about. This is what appeared in the Times blog:

Rep. Roger Goodman, D-Kirkland did offer a little hope. He told a cluster of about 40 fans outside the House chambers that a "statement of intentions" to put together a plan for a multimillion dollar financial package for local projects such as housing and KeyArena is being written to present by Thursday. "It wouldn't involve any state money, just local taxes that currently exist," Goodman said.

Perhaps an $800 deal that benefits communities across the County makes more sense to voters than a special stadium tax for Key Arena.

Goodman said the person we should be pressing is Nickels for the extra $75 million. He said the City already has the money. This makes sense if the tax extension has to go to a vote. If the legislature fails this session, then the City has to step up, right?

[nwsports253]

They had a little story about this on CNN over the weekend, its good to see that this is getting into the national media.