Sonics arena proposal tweaked as clock ticks down in Olympia

Backers of a proposed $500 million Sonics arena in Renton are retooling their public-financing proposal in an effort to build support among skeptical state lawmakers.

But the maneuvering may not be enough to budge the proposal, which remains stalled as the Legislature approaches its scheduled April 22 adjournment.

In an attempt to force the issue, the Sonics' most powerful legislative ally, Senate Ways and Means Committee Chairwoman Margarita Prentice, has scheduled a possible Friday committee vote on the Sonics plan.

Sonics spokesman Jim Kneeland and Renton-area lawmakers confirmed Tuesday the arena legislation is being tweaked so that state sales taxes collected in King County would not be used to pay for arena construction. Instead, the plan would rely on hotel, restaurant and car-rental taxes in King County.

That would cut the amount of state-authorized taxes sought for the arena to about $280 million, down from the original $300 million, Kneeland said.

The sliver of sales-tax money that had been proposed for the arena would remain in the legislation and be spent on King County arts groups and possible future repairs at Safeco Field. That portion of sales taxes totaled about $15 million last year.

Legislative leaders were skeptical that such changes will be enough to kick-start serious negotiations on the proposal.

A week after Gov. Christine Gregoire asked legislative leaders to gauge the level of support in the Democratic and Republican caucuses, she has no plans to convene a summit to negotiate a Sonics financing deal.

"No one has asked her," said Holly Armstrong, a Gregoire spokeswoman.

Although Prentice requested such a meeting, Armstrong said Gregoire is waiting to hear from Senate Majority Leader Lisa Brown or House Speaker Frank Chopp.

There also has been no request from the minority Republicans.

Prentice said she's frustrated that serious talks have not occurred.

"I've been bewildered by the required protocols," she said. "I don't know why this is being handled any different from any other issue."

But Brown, D-Spokane, said Senate Democrats remain deeply divided.

"The spectrum runs from 'hell yes' to 'hell no,' " she said. "I'm not sure if the new proposal changes the dynamic in the caucus."

Chopp, D-Seattle, could not be reached for comment. However, he has been a vocal critic of the Sonics proposal, and some legislative leaders said they do not believe that has changed.

"It's my understanding that the House will not be bringing it to a vote," Brown said.

Prentice said she had been told the same thing. Chopp has sent the message that the bill will not move, "no way, no how. Even if it's fixed," she said.

Renton Mayor Kathy Keolker, in a written statement, said she spoke with Chopp, Gregoire and other legislative leaders on Friday.

"It was apparent in those conversations that the proposal would receive more support from the Legislature if the state sales-tax credit was not used to finance this facility," she said.

But Kneeland said the team has received no assurances that such a move would sway Chopp.

Chris Van Dyk, organizer for the anti-stadium group Citizens for More Important Things, said the reported changes in the Sonics legislation won't change his position that public money should not be used to subsidize professional sports.

"A tax is a tax is a tax," he said.

Exact details of the changes to the Sonics proposal were not provided Tuesday.

The Sonics proposal would extend taxes, collected only in King County, that currently are paying off the debts for Safeco Field, Qwest Field and the demolished Kingdome.

In addition to the state-authorized taxes, Sonics owner Clay Bennett also is seeking an unspecified contribution from Renton.

Kneeland said Bennett has no plans to announce how much money owners would contribute before the end of the legislative session. Such details would have to be worked out later with the Metropolitan King County Council, whose approval of the financing plan would be required.

A majority of the council members have said they want a public vote on any arena plan.

Staff reporter Ralph Thomas contributed to this report.

Jim Brunner: 206-515-5628 or jbrunner@seattletimes.com