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[quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous]You would think that having so much money between the two of them that Leonsis and Youngkin would have a well polished team of professionals that advise them on how to lobby and be strategic on getting this deal passed in the GA. Instead I read Leonsis didn’t go down to Richmond until yesterday to meet with Lucas. The way this entire process has been played is pathetic and so unprofessional. I’ve worked on arena deals before (specifically Cap One (MCI Center), Nats Park and the Ravens Stadium and there are people whose only jobs are to advise the legislative process and help walk it through. It looks like zero was done here in that regard.

SMH. [/quote]

Right? It’s like politics 101. What the heck? [/quote]

Further there is a wapo article today about this process. Youngkin and Leonsis had been working on this deal for over a year with the previous leadership but in Nov 2023 all GA had new elections and this is how and when Lucas suddenly found herself in the potential coveted spot to become the new chair of the appropriations committee. Everyone then knew new leadership was coming in January 2024 and it would be those new people who had control. Did Youngkin/Leonsis invite some of these new people to their meetings, did they loop them in, did they start to court them. NO, which blows my mind.

Instead they went full speed ahead with the same people, had their December press conference that took most people (including Lucas) by surprise. Did they start to invite and court the upcoming leadership then, also no!  Why they didn’t adjust course, like any other sophisticated and educated lobbyist or strategist I just cannot understand.

Lucas said she was ready to talk and meet. No one did. She actually understands what the full faith and credit means in a public finance deal which I cannot stress enough. Youngkin and Leonsis want GO bonds on this deal backed by the full faith and credit of Virginia.  She has repeatedly said that is a huge issue for her and honestly it should be for everyone. 99% of people don’t know what that means and think it’s not important. In order to pay a lower interest rate to bond holders you can make the bonds “less risky” by giving an unconditional guarantee by the state to debt repayment. It’s as if Virginia is a co-signor on the bond loan essentially. ALL of Virginia’s coffers are pledged, ALL its money.

This should make your heads spin. [/quote]

This is how dirty men do irresponsible politics. It's bipartisan - you can add Alexandria's mayor Wilson into the mix, and apparently he was also in the loop. Even as construction for the PY went on, as planned, knowing that it would be inadequate to handle an arena.
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