In European soccer leagues, teams finishing at the bottom of the standings are "relegated" to the next level down in the minor leagues. Far too often, taxpayers are relegated when their tax dollars are gifted to private developers.
This episode covers a story in the Des Moines Register about additional public funding for the proposed downtown Des Moines Soccer Stadium.
Should taxpayer money be spent on private sports stadiums? How do taxpayers know they are getting value for their investment? Are these projects what is needed for economic development in the metro. Would this project move forward without the incentives? Who is on the hook if things don't work out as planned?
