Stop the Rays relocation to Tampa—let's spend tax dollars wisely
The Tampa Bay Rays are planning to relocate to Tampa, and it's about to cost our community millions in tax dollars with little to show for it.
I started a petition because we've seen this movie before. When the Rays first came to St. Petersburg, there was real hope for economic growth. But history shows us that stadium deals rarely deliver on their promises. Research from actual economists at Brookings and Cato found that stadiums generate minimal return on investment for taxpayers. Meanwhile, that same money could go toward public schools, infrastructure, or healthcare—things that actually improve our lives.
This isn't about emotion; it's about learning from the past. We can't keep throwing public money at projects hoping they'll somehow be different this time. If this matters to you too—if you're tired of seeing tax dollars disappear into deals that don't benefit working people—consider signing and sharing. I'm curious: what would you want your city to prioritize instead?