It is true that it is a "hotel tax", thusly should affect tourists more than locals. BUT, the tax is statewide, so if you go to Reno or Tahoe, that extra tax on your room bill is going to a stadium in Vegas, offering no benefit for the people of Northern Nevada. There have been economists saying that generating that kind of revenue off a hotel tax is optimistic at best. Lastly, the fine print of the deal stipulates that if there is a shortfall of revenue from the hotel tax, the state will make up the difference out of the general fund. As a resident of Nevada, I am tired of being constantly told there is not enough money to do this or do that, but when there is a new stadium to be built, the money was found seemingly overnight, in a closed door session of the legislature without public input. The whole thing stinks.
With all of that being said, I am kinda excited to have a team and new stadium here in town. I am curious if we will get other big events, like Final 4s or New Years Bowl games. The NFL commissioner said the stadium is being built "to host Super Bowls".
Yes, I understand this pretty much makes me a hypocrite. But hey, since the stadium is happening, I may as well embrace it, right?
