State Lawmakers Stand with Taxpayers as New Stadium Lease Looms

Pennsylvania’s Independent Fiscal Office (IFO) released studies on the economic impact of the Pittsburgh Pirates and the Philadelphia Phillies on their respective cities.

After reviewing the reports, Reps. Tim Bonner (R-Mercer/Butler) and Jim Gregory (R-Blair) say the Pirate’s organization needs to step up to the plate to ensure that its fans and taxpayers across the Commonwealth get the return on their investment they deserve.

In the early 2000s, the Pittsburgh Pirates received $75 million in state grant funding for the land and construction of PNC Park. Allegheny County tax funding amounted...