House Foolishly Votes 73-21 To Pass Indy Eleven Soccer Stadium Deal

The House of Representatives just voted 73 to 21 with virtually no debate to pass the Indy Eleven soccer stadium legislation that will force state and local taxpayers to subsidize a nearly $90 million, 18,500-seat stadium for a minor league soccer team owned by a shadowy Turkish immigrant about whom little is known other than he seems to have bucket loads of money to lavish on politicians to extract public financing for his private business endeavors to the tune of hundreds of millions of dollars. That's an even larger margin than it passed last year, proving just how thoroughly corrupt your state lawmakers have become.

Only State Rep. John Bartlett took to the floor to speak in opposition to the legislation, noting that Indianapolis is the 9th poorest major city in America with many unmet needs that should have a higher priority than another sports stadium.

Our corrupt mayor, Greg Ballard, visited the State House today for the first time this session to personally lobby on behalf of Ozdemir. Obviously, the Carmel resident is Ballard's master, not the city of the people he supposedly represents.

Rep. Greg Steuerwald (R-Avon) again recused himself from participating in the vote--only because Advance Indiana exclusively reported he's been on Ozdemir's payroll for the past few years representing him in contentious litigation with his former business partner. The only hope lies in the Senate, where Senate President David Long says the legislation is not a priority.

Ch 13's Kevin Rader just reported @MayorBallard at Statehouse supposedly lobbying for soccer stadium bill. WHY is that Mayor top priority!
— Amos Brown (@Amoswtlcindy) February 25, 2015