Hillsborough County Commission

The legal opinion was requested by Commissioner Christine Miller after TSA voted to draft a letter to elected leaders seeking to prioritize Raymond James Stadium renovations over a new Rays ballpark.

In a poll of more than 600 Hillsborough voters, nearly three-quarters wanted a public vote on whether taxpayer money should be used for the project. Even so, most agreed it would bring tangible benefits.

A letter from a local attorney calls for four members of the board to resign because of properties they own. Meantime, a key vote on the stadium plan was postponed at least two months by Tampa's CRA board.

For the second time this year, a “teen takeover” in the Bay area has ended in arrests. The youths appear to be finding trouble on social media. Can social media keep them out of it? A local group has some ideas.

While not choosing between building a Rays ballpark and modernizing the Bucs' facility, a letter from the board to Hillsborough officials urges officials to keep the aging 65,000-seat stadium in money-making form.

If voters approve the referendums in November, the Hillsborough County Commission would expand to nine members — with the current at-large districts eliminated. The school superintendent could also be elected, instead of appointed.

The commissioner discussed the proposal at an owners' meeting when the Rays gave an update. Meantime, former manager Joe Maddon says he hopes Tampa can "finish what we started."

Local government support for the Rays' ballpark was fragile before the tax measure went on the November ballot. Now, the Tampa Sports Authority is writing a letter to state its priority: Raymond James Stadium.

Terms include the sports authority receiving some revenue from non-USF events. TSA would also be positioned for greater involvement in the Fowler corridor, including the planned MOSI Fieldhouse.

City negotiations with the team and the county have been handled by officials on the mayor's staff. But some council members have expressed frustration with having to vote on a deal without having a seat at the table.

Legislators have included $50 million in the state budget for campus improvements, as requested by the school. However, the governor said the state could eventually provide additional funding.

In an interview with the Tampa Bay Times, CEO Ken Babby says the economics behind the $2.3 project are settled after local approvals of a non-binding MOU, with the focus now on nailing down unresolved issues.