If you oppose the stadium agreement, you are de facto opposing the continued
existence of the Nationals in Washington. There is no way around that. You are
also sending the message that Washington, DC can't be counted on to keep its
commitments.

The important thing to remember is that the District will draw in money from
this ballpark. But that money for schools, libraries, hospitals, and police is
not available unless the ballpark draws it in.

70 percent of the last year's attendance at RFK came from outside DC. Most of
the money is outside money coming into DC that otherwise wouldn't, and when the
neighborhood develops with restaurants and shops and the like, the effect will
be even more pronounced. Suburbanites will ultimately pay off this stadium.
This is effectively the commuter tax that Congress won't let you have.


Tim Phares

[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]