Rick Supports the Pens

Senator Santorum made a public statement yesterday fully supporting a new, privately funded arena for the Pittsburgh Penguins. Santorum challenged all of the gaming applicants to pay for the arena privately, instead of relying on gaming revenues.

"The Pittsburgh Penguins are a tremendous asset to our community. Building a new arena is not only critical to keeping our NHL franchise here - but is also important for the community as a whole," the
Senator said. Mellon Arena doesn't just house the Penguins; it is also used for children's events, concerts, the circus, truck rallies and various sporting events. Santorum stressed that all applicants
match the commitment to 100% private funding, as well as openness in the proceedings:

"I am calling on all the applicants competing for the single Pittsburgh slots license to come up with a plan that requires no new local tax dollars to fund a new arena. One gaming company has already made that commitment and I am hopeful that all the applicants will do the same. It is important that the local community understand what type of financial commitment the companies who are bidding for the gaming license will make towards helping fund the arena."

The main plan, which is proposed by Isle of Capri Casinos Inc., would involve a $290 million dollars in private funding for a new arena. Along with the arena plan, talks also include revitalizing the Hill District portion of the city, which has lost 70% of its population since the construction of the Civic Arena in the 1950s.

Senator Santorum continues to fight for lower taxes by supporting private investors rather than tax-payer-funded sports stadiums like PNC Park and Heinz Field.

[Written for RickSantorum.com Blog]