A local state representative is taking the Pittsburgh Pirates to task over their lack of spending.
Republican State Representative Tim Bonner of Grove City released a study by the state’s Independent Fiscal Office on both the Pirates and Philadelphia Phillies impact on the economy.
Bonner says the study shows that the Pirates are not holding up their end of the bargain when it comes to taxpayer investment.
The study showed the Pirates drove $254 million in direct spending last year, while the Phillies economic impact was over $500 million. Bonner acknowledges that there is a population difference, but not enough to have that big of a discrepancy.
He also cited a couple of other statistics.
- Pirates drive $546 million in direct spending; the Phillies drive $970 million.
- Pirates support approximately 3,000 jobs; the Phillies support 5,450.
- Pirates generate $22 million in tax dollars for the state; the Phillies generate $45 million.
“If the taxpayers are going to put money into the stadium, the Pirates need to also invest in PNC Park, as well as put a worthy product on the field,” Bonner said in a news release. “Taxpayers deserve more than the bare minimum, and the report demonstrates how sustained on-field success can increase fan attendance, which is how a stadium drives the local economy.”
He also argues that since the public footed a majority of the bill in the construction of PNC Park, they are entitled to economic benefits in the local economy.
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