City of Omaha looking for some help?

Many, many, many blogs have documented the harshness that is the Evil Empire (aka, Axis of Evil or Muppet Mike, those who "run" the city). But now it seems they have a little help, kind of. A group of state senators introduced a bill asking that, for ever $3 Omaha puts towards the renovation of Rosenblatt Stadium, the state will chip in a $1 (up to $20 million). For those of you unfamiliar with the situation, Rosenblatt Stadium is home to a couple Creighton Blue Jaycollege baseball games; the Triple A affiliate of the KC Royals, the Omaha Royals, and; more importantly (financially speaking), the College World Series. State Senator John Synowiecki introduced LB 1156, working with a few other Omaha senators. He does say that this does not mandate that Omaha keep Rosenblatt and that it could be worked to help fund a new stadium.

There are so many issues that are affecting this process of either renovating Rosenblatt or building a new stadium:

• There is a loud group wanting to save Rosenblatt.
• The Omaha city government, not surprisingly, has not handled this well...there have been back channel supposed discussions with the NCAA, much confusion about how much a new stadium would really cost, what it would really look like...I could go on...
• The group put together to combine all sides lost their coordinator, apparently because he was annoyed with the city government.
• "Big money" seems to be pushing for the new stadium.
• Who pays for it?
• Is the NCAA really looking for a new stadium or a new city?
• Does the CWS really help the whole state?

I just don't think that the CWS provides enough money to the state for the state to support it. I think that there are many things that $20 million dollars could fix (child services, education, etc.). I don't see Synowiecki's bill passing to help Rosenblatt, but I could see the big money in Omaha talking with him and the rest of the legislature about channeling that money to their new stadium. Many people ask why the government doesn't put $20 million into the Sienna Francis house or likewise organizations...well, that's easy. They don't bring the money back in. Is it right? No, but how else are you going to get people to the state?

Here's some links:

LB 1156

Save Rosenblatt Stadium

OWH: Nebraska Legislature getting into Omaha's stadium game

LJS: Omaha Senator pushes bill that would help save Rosenblatt

WOWT: Lawmaker Floats Rosenblatt Bill

KPTM: Lawmakers Get Into Ballpark Battle

KOLN/KGIN: Save Rosenblatt