Buffalo, NY (WBEN) The Bills and Erie County lawmakers huddled Tuesday for the first time on a new lease for Ralph Wilson Stadium.
For Legislator Kevin Hardwick, the question is about money, namely the county's $100 million-plus share. "One of the questions I have is whether they can justify that in terms of sales tax, in numbers of millionaires living here and spending here and paying property taxes, and the Bills are going to get back to us on that information," says Hardwick. "I think it can be justified, but you have to realize the Bills are not so much leasing a stadium as we are leasing a football team."
Hardwick says the state can certainly recoup its end, but whether it's a wash for the county remains up in the air.
A group pursuing a downtown stadium also went before the legislature. Hardwick says it was an impressive presentation, but he notes the Bills and this group are not in competition. The downtown stadium group is looking down the road, notes Hardwick.