Law professor campaigning for Dolphins Stadium renovation

Victoria Ronderos/Contributing Writer

College of Law professor H.T. Smith has been appointed co-chair of Friends of Miami First, a political action committee by the Miami Dolphins.

The committee aims to convince voters of Miami-Dade County to approve tax-subsidized renovations of Sun Life Stadium. The legislation, however, would force Miami-Dade County to increase its hotel tax rates and state sale-tax subsidies. According to Smith, these renovations will benefit the county.

“We’ll have 4,000 construction jobs and we’ll have up to $400 million of economic benefit,” said Smith.

Seventy percent of jobs would go to Miami-Dade residents and the Dolphins have guaranteed four Super Bowls over the next 30 years which would could provide economic development, according to Smith.

According to The Miami Herald, Miami-Dade lawmakers are uneasy about the legislation. Some think the Dolphins will only pay back a small portion of the funds if legislation passes. Some think that the Dolphins will follow the footsteps of the Miami Marlins and will not be able to pay back taxpayers after the costly renovations.

Smith said if legislation passes and renovations bring profits, the Dolphins will pay back the people of Miami-Dade for their investments. The Dolphins also stated that if it does not meet promises and profits, it will still return the money back to the people.

“This agreement is the best in the country,” said Smith. “The Marlins deal was so bad that people are rightly outraged. The Dolphins deal is totally different. It had to be different, to protect the taxpayers.”

Smith, who teaches civil litigation and criminal procedure at the University, has been working closely with the Dolphins since 1995. With the help and contributions from the National Football League and the Dolphins during the 1995 Super Bowl, Smith was able to build and open the NFL Youth Education Town youth center in Liberty City.

Smith’s long-time partnership with the Dolphins has made him an advocate for the franchise.

“I know what fine, corporate citizens [the Dolphins] are. They just raised $4 million for the Sylvester Cancer Center to help save people’s lives. And I know, as a taxpayer, what a good deal [the renovations are]. This is going to be a very tough campaign, but I believe it’s right, and I have always fought for what is right,” Smith said.

The ballot for the renovations will be April 23. Early voting begins April 29 and the official referendum will be May 14.

If passed, renovations will begin this summer. Smith stated that the project should be completed within 22 to 24 months.

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