After ballots were counted election night, Arlington voters approved the new Rangers’ Stadium proposal by a significant margin.
Roughly 60 percent of voters supported the measure, which creates or extends five local taxes to fund a new stadium, including two new taxes on admissions and parking.
The plan drew criticism from opponents who campaigned on “saving” the current stadium, which is still relatively new by MLB standards. In their new agreement with the team, city officials handed the fate of Globe Life Park over to the Rangers, and have no legal authority to prevent its destruction.
Misleading campaign rhetoric advanced by some city officials and pro-stadium opponents did not backfire as critics hoped. City officials successfully stoked fear among voters by claiming that the team would leave Arlington if voters rejected the proposition.
Critics correctly argued that the Rangers current lease extends to 2024, preventing them from leaving, and giving the city plenty of time to entertain alternative options or negotiate a better deal.
A poll conducted prior to Election Day suggested the city was split evenly on building a new stadium, but abnormally high turnout appears to have diminished its relevance as a predictor.
Despite officials pegging the project’s price tag for taxpayers at $500 million, an investigative report by WFAA predicted its total subsidy to exceed $1.6 billion.
Concerned taxpayers who hoped to save the current stadium will need to stay engaged to hold officials accountable to promises made in the months leading up to November’s controversial vote.
