A proposed half billion dollar upgrade to the Louisiana Superdome led to heated debate today at the state capitol.
"We just have priorities wrong guys!" Senator Conrad Appel of Metairie said during a presentation before the Louisiana Senate Finance Committee this morning. "We can't afford to fix our roads. We can't afford to fix our schools. We can't afford to send kids to school, but we are talking about spending half a billion dollars on a Superdome."
Senator Jim Fannin from Jonesboro was also among those questioning if the cost is worth the benefit.
"We are asking the taxpayers to take on a huge amount of responsibility in this, but the taxpayer is not getting much back for that expenditure."
Louisiana Stadium Commissioner Hilary Landry disagreed.
"This is our house. This is... one of the most important physical assets other than our coastline in the state of Louisiana. It is an economic engine."
She insisted the events at the Dome draw people from around the country and across the globe to come spend money in New Orleans.
"Why do we do this? I don't know anybody is New Orleans that doesn't love the Superdome without $450 in new expenses," Appel insisted.
Landry replied, "We have a pecuniary obligation is our role to maintain this facilities in a way that keeps them eligible to compete with facilities similarly situated across the nation."
She said a survey found 78 support state-wide for the project.
Senator Wesley Bishop, whose district includes the Superdome, says lawmakers from outside of the Crescent City may be undervaluing just how important the structure is.
“I really do not want us to minimize the value that not just the Superdome, but the Saints and the whole New Orleans professional franchise, what it does to New Orleans not just being a national city, but an international city.”
No votes are scheduled at this time.
