No Spring Training Agreement in Force between Mesa and the Chicago Cubs

While the City of Mesa and the Chicago Cubs gear up an aggressive campaign to rally voters to their cause, a positive position on Proposition 420, some taxpayers are wondering whether even having Proposition 420 on this fall’s ballot is premature since there is a definite lack of information on the question at hand. Cheerleaders for the proposed new Cubs spring training complex point to the Memorandum of Understanding signed by the parties back in January as providing the substance of their agreement on the issue. However, people who understand the meaning of the words “Not binding” and “Not legally enforceable” look at the matter differently. In fact, whatever little validity this memo had has long since expired. More than one drop-dead date has come and gone, including the July 12, 2010 to have a signed final agreement in place.

Proposition 420 merely asks voters to agree to authorize the City of Mesa to spend in excess of $1.5 million on a Cactus League baseball facility. How much more than $1.5 million? Well, no one knows. Could it be $200 million, $300 million, or $500 million? Yes, yes, yes. There is no maximum amount, only a minimum amount. How about mentioning the location of the stadium and practice fields? No, that’s the sort of information that is apparently best kept a secret until after the election. The proposition doesn’t even mention the Cubs. Could it be the stadium and practice fields are being built for an expansion team? Based on what little Proposition 420 says, yes, that could be the case. Maybe those guys from the Field of Dreams can be enticed to relocate.

Proposition 420 is literally a blank check which will be signed by the taxpayers of Mesa.