Developers in five Texas cities want $10 billion for downtowns. Only one mayor demands due diligence

Developers in Texas’ five largest cities want taxpayers to spend billions on new convention centers, stadiums and entertainment districts. San Antonio’s Gina Ortiz Jones is the only mayor questioning whether the corporate welfare will pay off for her community.

Last week, lobbyists in suits and boots, activists in T-shirts and jeans, and San Antonio Spurs fans in black and silver filled the ornate City Hall for a dramatic showdown.

The new mayor was asking for a delay in voting on a new Spurs stadium until an independent economic assessment could determine if the proposed $2 billion investment in the downtown convention center, an entertainment district and a new Spurs arena would truly benefit the city…

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