By
Maks Goldenshteyn
November 13, 2008
By season’s end, the Huskies will have faced Cougar squads from Washington State and BYU. But one Bellevue, Wash. tax consultant and WSU alumnus has emerged as an entirely different kind of Cougar opponent.
Mike Bernard, a 1979 graduate of Washington State University, is the man behind a campaign to stop the UW from receiving $150 million in tax dollars for a Husky Stadium renovation.
His Facebook group, called “WAZZU fans against UW’s proposed money grab,” has attracted more than 2,000 members. His e-mail list goes out to about 200 people.
“It started as three guys,” Bernard said of the movement. “We were at a function and there was some discussion about Husky Stadium funding. There was also discussion about Martin Stadium funding. So we thought ‘this is not a good thing.’”
WSU is funding a gradual renovation of Martin Stadium — the smallest Pac-10 football venue — through ticket fees, donations and leasing of premium seating.
The UW is asking the state for access to revenue coming from taxes already levied on King County hotels, motels, car rentals and restaurants. The taxes are currently used to pay off the Kingdome, Qwest Field and Safeco Field.
“These are not new taxes we’re talking about,” said UW spokesman Norm Arkans. “We’re talking about taking taxes that are going to finish what they were set out to do — pay off Qwest field, pay off Safeco field. When they’re done paying off those debts, we just want to keep those going and re-purpose them and allow us to use them to help us renovate a public stadium, at a public university.”
Bernard believes the taxes should simply go away once they expire.
“We think it’s not a good use of the money aside from any Cougar-Husky issue,” Bernard said. “It’s not a good use of taxpayer dollars.”
Bernard’s group wants the state to deny the school’s request for renovation funding, or to provide Martin Stadium with public funding too.
“We compete in the same league ... it’s a very competitive league and facilities are a part of that,” Bernard said. “So why the state would be willing to favor one institution over another — that’s not appropriate.”
One supporter in Bernard’s group also wondered how the UW can justify its pitch to the state in the midst of the economic crisis.
“Amazing ... here the state of Washington has a hiring freeze and budget deficit and UW is still asking for half of their [stadium] to be paid for by taxpayers,” she wrote on the group’s Facebook page.
Another member of the group called the proposal a “stadium improvement to nowhere.”
Bernard said he’s encouraging supporters to contact the Legislature.
The group’s message has apparently been heard loud and clear by at least one politician — Senate budget Chairwoman, Margarita Prentice, D-Renton.
“It’s a horrendous state of affairs,” Prentice told the Spokesman-Review regarding the stadium’s condition. “And it’s not something that we can just let go. No responsible person would say ‘let it be.’”
Prentice, who introduced a Senate bill last January to finance a renovation of Husky Stadium before support for the plan dropped off, had harsh words for Bernard.
“I just think this is pretty pathetic,” she said. “The president of WSU should contact this guy and put a stop to it.”
Bernard’s response?
“I think that Senator Prentice should stick to making sure that the taxpayers get good value for their tax dollars.”
He added that the UW has a wealth of resources, referring to the $2.7 billion the school has raised since 2000 as part of Campaign UW: Creating Futures, which ended in June.
According to the Council for Aid to Education, the UW also ranked 14th among U.S. universities in dollars received in 2007 — more than $300 million.
“It’s a ‘poor me’ thing that they’re doing out there that doesn’t hold water,” Bernard said.
But Arkans said almost all of the money raised in the campaign was given by donors for a specific purpose — none of them included Husky Stadium.
“It’s not like there’s a pot of money, which you can go to and say, ‘oh, let’s go spend that money on the stadium,’” Arkans said. Bernard said his group includes many Huskies who agree with his stance. He does, however, have his own ties to the UW, as his daughter recently graduated from the school.
Asked why he let her go to UW, Bernard said it wasn’t up to him.
Reach reporter Maks Goldenshteyn at sports@dailyuw.com.
35 Comments
#1 Danny A.
on November 14, 2008 at 10:48 a.m.(Boise, ID)
Raise money for your own damn stadium! WSU did it, students and alumn alike are paying for our new stadium, why cant you!
#2 Raymond Bonnell
on November 14, 2008 at 10:58 a.m.(Bellevue, WA | Unverified Name)
The Athletic Department combined with the University should pay for the upgrades. UW had no problem renovating the Crew House and building and indoor practice facility; UW will have no problem finding the funds to fix their stadium. I'd rather have my tax dollars go toward schools for educational purposes, then police/fire, then roads. College football stadiums, even as a former college player, are not on that list. Maybe get some of the money from Tyrone's salary budget. Going to the State for the money is the joke here.
#3 Kim
on November 14, 2008 at 11 a.m.(Pullman, WA | Unverified Name)
I agree with pp. Get your own student and alumnus to pay for your damn stadium. You have tons of students! We had to do it, you can do it too. So suck it up. Huck the Fuskies.
#4 mark ossello
on November 14, 2008 at 11:15 a.m.(Spokane, WA | Unverified Name)
The idea of taxpayers paying for an upgrade to Husky stadium is so ridiculous that I'm not sure where to start. This has nothing to do with Cougs vs. Huskies. This has to do with a government employee losing track of her job description like so many others. If I lived in Seattle I'd be outraged that an elected official was spending tax payer dollars pushing this issue. Get a grip Prentice.
#5 Ben
on November 14, 2008 at 11:52 a.m.(Pullman, WA | Unverified Name)
There are a lot of public colleges in this state, EWU, WWU, CWU, WSU,ESU and last and least the money grabbing....UW. Pay for it yourselves, you have the money. If you do get it payed for then the state owes all public universities that same amount of money.
#6 someguyWSU
on November 14, 2008 at 12:04 p.m.(Spokane, WA | Unverified Name)
Get bent UW. The west side of the state already soaks up most of Washington's taxpayer dollars, and this is just another example of their persistence to continue that trend.
#7 Zach
on November 14, 2008 at 12:05 p.m.(None, None | Unverified Name)
Where is the accountability to UW for letting the stadium get this way in the first place? They put off maintenance for YEARS, and now that the stadium is in dis-repair, they want the state to pay for it! Another big issue is that UW has proposed that the state pay $150 million for safety repairs and once that's done, the UW will chip in $150 million for luxury suites, loge boxes etc. If the stadium is such a danger to fans, why doesn't the UW use the $150 million they set aside for luxury items, and use it for safety improvements. Then they can start a fund raising campaign for their luxury suites only Tyee members will use. Pathetic...
#8 broken_locker
on November 14, 2008 at 12:18 p.m.(Spokane, WA | Unverified Name)
WSU has a terrible football team. UW has a terrible football team. If WSU can justify renovating their stadium considering what they put ON the field, and do it with their own money, then where does UW get off thinking that they shouldn't have to do the same?
#9 Roy
on November 14, 2008 at 12:41 p.m.(Limaville, OH | Unverified Name)
Remember that time Seattle let the Sonics skip town because they wouldn't renovate Key Arena (and Clay Bennett is a bum) and then UW immediately proceeded to ask for $150,000,000? This should be one of those things that not only doesn't happen, but also just kind of fades away because it's ludarcis.
#10 Jeff
on November 14, 2008 at 1:02 p.m.(Seattle, WA | Unverified Name)
Fair is fair. Leadership in this town/state and a lot of the public, said "no" to extending these taxes for a Sonics. "No" to a pro sports/city complex....yes to the local college stadium. How does that work? Loyalties aside. First off Husky football is a cash cow. They make tons of money. How much are tyee seats again? Secondly the stadium is fine. People go to watch football.....not for the building.
#11 Meghan
on November 14, 2008 at 1:11 p.m.(Pullman, WA | Unverified Name)
It is really sad that there has to be an argument over this. UW is trying to take a shortcut, an easy way out, in order to fund there renovations. WSU instead, ensured not only their financial success but also their fan base success by turning to the students, faculty, and alumni to fund their renovations. If UW gets state funding then all public institutes of higher learning should also receive funding to enhance there athletic venues. It shouldn't be a matter of how large your student body is or which side of the mountains you are on.
#12 Marcus
on November 14, 2008 at 1:19 p.m.(Kirkland, WA | Unverified Name)
uw raises $2.7 BILLION DOLLARS then asks for taxpayer support for their own stadium??? If uw says these funds were not meant for their stadium then maybe THEY SHOULD LEARN HOW TO ALLOCATE MONEY BETTER!
Everyone these days is looking for a bailout with ALL OF OUR TAX DOLLARS. C'mon people, this has to stop!
#13 Kevin
on November 14, 2008 at 1:39 p.m.(Seattle, WA | Unverified Name)
WSU is funding at 65 million dollor upgrade themselves and the last Phase starts in Januarry. You have 50,000 students charge them 100 bucks a year just like WSU, bingo 5,000,000 instant dollars. Go pound sand in an anthill UW!!!!!! If you get the money, so should WSU, EWU, CWU, WWU. Maybe the Huskies can move to another state if they do not get their way. That is acuatlly the best idea ever!!!!!!!!!1 Looking at that first phots I am pretty sure that is where I sate for the AC last season. My dad could see his house from there, and it is in Yakima.
#14 Joe
on November 14, 2008 at 2:10 p.m.(Pullman, WA | Unverified Name)
Prentice, are you really trying to get the WSU president to stop a voice from being heard? You're an elected official! No taxation without representation! We have every right to fight this if it's a cause we believe in. Welcome to the United States.
#15 Corie S.
on November 14, 2008 at 2:23 p.m.(Pullman, WA)
If UW really wants to fund their renovations they really just need to do themselves. Martin Stadium got renovated through sheer support by th WSU community, and their Alumni that obviously want to give back to their school. Instead of just asking for the money as a simpathy act, they need to look to their own College community and Alumni. It is not fare that they are only considering UW for the renovations they are not the only school that needs help, but they are the only school people pity for not doing anything for themselves. Get on the ball and help your own self instead of asking for a handout.
#16 steveo
on November 14, 2008 at 3:13 p.m.(South Colby, WA | Unverified Name)
spend the money on key arena instead
#17 Chris
on November 14, 2008 at 3:31 p.m.(Snoqualmie, WA | Unverified Name)
WSU paying for new bathrooms and a new concourse is not even comparable to a 300 Million dollar renovation.
#18 brad
on November 14, 2008 at 4:11 p.m.(Olympia, WA | Unverified Name)
First of all, I hope all you cougs live in or near King County, otherwise you need to quit your whining.
Second, do you have any idea what the impact of this tax is to your pocket book? Unless you're a garbage gut and love to eat out all the time, the impact is miniscule, and if you can aford to eat out all the time, you have no business complaining, you obviously can afford it.
Third, you do realize a good chunk of this tax is paid by "taxpayers" from around the world, not us Washingtonians. Don't be mad because you didn't think of going to legislature first, you sound like a bunch of crybabies. I would totally support funding renovations to any public university in the our state, especially with a revenue source such as this one. The impact is minimal to residents of Washington, and it's a tax you can avoid paying if you so choose.
#19 For the good of the People
on November 14, 2008 at 5:21 p.m.(Eugene, OR | Unverified Name)
It doesn't matter how much the expense is to the people of Washington per a person. Tax money should be spent on something that all people that contributed to the tax can enjoy. There are many non-Huskies that live in or around King County that this would effect, and they would not enjoy the things that the money would be paying for. The "contributors" didn't give any money in specific use for a renovation of Husky Stadium, because it wasn't asked for. They probly gave money to the parts of the University that effected them most, like the colleges where they got their degree back. I'm sure if asked, they would give money to the renovation of the Stadium. Huskies should first try their students and alumni for money to finance the renovation of their stadium that they have enjoyed throughout their college experience. I'm sure they will be willing to donate some money...
#20 Janaya
on November 14, 2008 at 5:35 p.m.(Addy, WA | Unverified Name)
I am sorry but I have lived in Orange county California for a while so you in King county should not complain either if you really are trying to make a point on who pays more or has a higher cost of live ... oh and I sure hope not everyone around the world is paying the taxes on your new stadium cause I am sure the people in New Zealand would hate UW just for that extra cost to their lives.
But seriously, trying to charge people who don't even get the oppertunity to enjoy the benefits of that stadium is just wrong. So make the people who enjoy it pay for it. You live in a city that makes money and you have alot of alumni who make bank so get on the phone and start getting people to donate! It shouldn't be to hard, nonprofit organizations do it all the time. If you happen to tax me for that stadium you should at least give me unlimited access and use of the facility. If I pay I own right?! oh wait no I still have to pay for a ticket and since I don't go to the school I pay more. Thanks really appreciate that. I pay more for a ticket and I pay taxes that I shouldn't have to. Pay for your own stadium! Do what is right not what is easier. There are ways to budget it...take your accounting students and make them come up with a plan. If they can't do it then they need a better education. Oh and by the way, I don't go to WSU and I am enraged about the whole thing. Oh and I am applying to UW for grad school so don't think that this is just a rival thing.
#21 WSU93Rx
on November 14, 2008 at 6:38 p.m.(Ephrata, WA | Unverified Name)
Like the other said, pay for your OWN stadium. Stop asking for handouts from the goverment.
This is a huge reason why we do not shop or stay in King County when we're there for the annual WSU game @ QWEST, or when we take in the occasional Mariners game. We do not want to get soaked these unreasonable taxes.
#22 WSU2009
on November 14, 2008 at 7:53 p.m.(Pullman, WA | Unverified Name)
This is absolutely ridiculous that UW thinks that they should get any money from the state. It doesn't matter that the money comes from hotel and restaurant taxes in King County and shouldn't affect the wallets of anyone living in King County, what matters is where the money is going. I can think of sooooo many places where the money could be better spent. Put it into schools (not universities), roads, wherever. But DO NOT give the money to UW. You can fund your own stadium which you have neglected to renovate for so long. I know Husky stadium is falling apart, but it's the UW's own fault. Raise your own money, just like every other school does!
#23 brad
on November 14, 2008 at 8:07 p.m.(Yelm, WA | Unverified Name)
Whaaaaaaaa, whaaaaaaaaaa! What a bunch of whiners. An average person probably pays $50 in this tax per year, and that's being generous, it's probably less than that.
Janaya, I'm going to educate you a little bit, it's obvious you're blowing a gasket about something you know nothing about. This is a tax on restaraunts, hotels, and rental car businesses in King County. So, if you visit and stay in a hotel, or eat out at a restaraunt, or rent a car, you pay a tax on those goods/services. So, if a friend of yours from New Zealand visits and stays in a King County hotel, they're contributing tax revenue to pay off Qwest Field and Safeco Field debt. But, by all means, if it upsets you so, please don't visit Washington, stay away, I pray the whack-jobs like you don't get into our great school.
wsu93, all cougs should band together and ask the president at Wazzu to quit scheduling games at Qwest field because of these unfair taxes you have to pay to watch a game, stick to playing games at Martin Stadium. I'm curious wsu93, how do you feel about the cougs using money other than athletic revenues to support the operation of the athletic department? I mean, those are tax dollars used to support athletics, why aren't you so upset about that? UW is one of the few athletic programs in the country that have been a 100% funded by athletic revenues, Wazzu can't make that claim. Tax dollars (mine, yours) have been subsidizing your athletic department, how does that make you feel? Should I start a campaign to end this misuse of tax dollars, what do you think?
How much of your taxes gets wasted by government on the arts? Or welfare? Or low income housing? Or some other wasteful government program? There are all kinds of programs that my tax dollars get spent on that I don't agree with, or, that I "don't enjoy", but my only recourse is my vote. Again, you have a direct choice whether you pay the tax or not, don't eat out in King County, or don't stay at a hotel, move out of King County, it might be tough, but you do have a choice. I'm glad some tax dollars are used for things that I actually get to enjoy.
#24 Harley
on November 14, 2008 at 8:42 p.m.(Portland, OR | Unverified Name)
Why shouldn't the Huskies get a government bailout, too?
#25 WSU_SUCKS
on November 15, 2008 at 12:19 a.m.(Seattle, WA | Unverified Name)
Of course WSU grads will be paying for the stadium.... They always take their Jerry Springer asses to hotels with a two dollar Pullman crack whore
#26 Coug_09
on November 15, 2008 at 1:19 a.m.(Coeur D Alene, ID | Unverified Name)
The Money should be going to academics for both universities. Not a football stadium.
#27 Ryan
on November 15, 2008 at 1:50 a.m.(Eugene, OR | Unverified Name)
Just to confirm: The country is in a recession, people in our state are losing their homes, unemployment is rising...and we want to allocate tax money to fund a sports stadium renovation? Don't get me wrong, I love football, but is this really our priority right now?
Good leadership Margarita Prentice, Democrat from Renton. Be sure to let your constituents know how well you are using their hard earned tax money in economically hard times.
I've always thought, hey, if you no longer need money from a tax, stop collecting it. When we get to a point where we are coming up with projects for "extra" tax money, that's a sign of inefficient government spending.
I know the elections are over (so this isn't in everyone's face all the time), but doesn't the state of Washington have around a $2.8 billion projected budget deficit for the coming years? I'm thinking this tax money would be better allocated to reduce that, don't you?
#28 Curtis
on November 15, 2008 at 3:16 a.m.(Pullman, WA | Unverified Name)
the group is not saying that uw should not renovate their stadium. we simply think that they should not use tax money for it. if alum actually cared about the football stadium, then they would donate specifically for it's renovation. charging the students for stadium renovation fees would be a great way for them to raise the money. we know because wsu thought of the idea and it works. but i guess if the planners at uw aren't smart enough to think of something like that then we can't really blame them. and also, if the government refused to extend this tax to keep the nba in seattle, which would definitly benefit everyone in washington, then they really shouldn't even consider approving to extend the same tax for the uw stadium, especially because it would only benefit a selective comunity in the state. so if the government does agree to giving uw this money for their stadium, then they sould first use it on key arena to bring in a new nba team.
#29 Tim
on November 15, 2008 at 9:52 a.m.(Portland, OR | Unverified Name)
Clearly the UW alumni and student body don't care about their stadium or they would fund it themselves. Is the problem that they've already burned their money on a failed football coaching staff again?
Perhaps a better solution is to demolish Husky Stadium, so no one has to deal with it or Husky football ever again.
Otherwise, any tax money collected by Washingtonians for funding college football stadium renovations should be evenly distributed across ALL public universities in the state. Fund it yourself, UW.
#30 Mike
on November 15, 2008 at 10:09 a.m.(Bellevue, WA | Unverified Name)
Brad, you seem to be pretty proud about your school's ability to provide 100% funding for their athletic department. For the sake of your own argument and ego, shouldn't you be arguing against tax fund aid? Receiving a 150 million dollar handout from the government while other state schools get ignored is a complete disgrace. Not too mention the financial crisis this state is facing in the near future due to the economic crisis.
Whether it's athletics or academics, why do you care that WSU allocates tax dollars to the athletic department? This isn't money above and beyond what the state has already budgeted for the university. I would have no problem if UW started diverting some of their money to the athletic department. It's all water under the bridge from my perspective. It's money going to a school to fund pricks like yourself.
It's yet another example of how UW graduates think it's their birth right to be better than everyone else. They can't stand the fact that they have every possible resource available and they still fail miserably.
#31 CougDad 2006
on November 15, 2008 at 10:41 a.m.(Chehalis, WA | Unverified Name)
The request by UW for public funds is a perfect example of how a tax once imposed, even temporarily, is almost never rescinded.
UW wants to continue the temporary tax which was imposed to pay for Qwest and Safeco.
However, UW is sitting on a $2Billion endowment. It owns a considerable chunk of property in Seattle which is income producing. UW certainly has the resources to pay for its own upgrade and, unfortunately, there is no danger of the team leaving town if it does not get public funding.
Of course, the real solution is for the UW to impose a stadium fee on its tickets ($5-10) to pay for the upgrades. This is how the other NW universities have helped to pay for their stadium upgrades.
#32 Harley
on November 15, 2008 at 4:12 p.m.(Portland, OR | Unverified Name)
UW wants the tax money precisely because they know that their own alumni will not support their stadium renovation (or their athletic programs through a rough season).
Remember the competition to raise funds for Katrina victims? WSU beat UW contributions every day but two in that competition and out-donated UW alumni by 50% overall. Consequently the Space Needle was painted crimson.
Following that, The Daily of the University of Washington posted a month-long online survey asking whether UW or WSU alumni had more pride in their university. I suppose The Daily assumed by announcing this survey only to their own alumni they would be able to report favorably for the U. Once the word got out, WSU alumni chimed in as well.
The survey was cut off before the deadline and the results, to the best of my knowledge were never posted although unofficial reports claimed that WSU supporters outvoted UW supporters more than 3 to 1.
These are not the kind of alumni who are going to put their money where their mouth is and support their own school financially. They'll just continue to expect everyone else to do it for them.
#33 Mike D
on November 15, 2008 at 4:56 p.m.(Vancouver, WA | Unverified Name)
Great timing UW. Public refuses to support the Sonics venue renovations--they move. The country is in the grips of a finanical mess. And the UW football program is a disaster.
The answer: time to ask the public to fund half of your stadium renovations that you have shown zero creativity in solving yourself.
Way to strike when the iron is hot. Bravo! Maybe due a telethon. Jerramy Stevens, Warren Moon, and Billie Joe Hobart can take calls! Now that is something I would pay to see.
#34 Harley
on November 15, 2008 at 11:02 p.m.(Portland, OR | Unverified Name)
Just watch the Bruins defeat the Huskies in Seattle. Husky Stadium looked like it was at about 20% tax payer capacity. Way to go Huskies!
#35 Tim
on November 15, 2008 at 11:03 p.m.(Portland, OR | Unverified Name)
No wonder they can't pay for renovations through ticketing fees...
Post a comment
You must login with your dailyuw.com account or connect with Facebook to post a comment.
If you have any questions about this policy, send us an email. We'd love to hear your thoughts.