The D.C. United stadium bill to push for a new facility in Prince George's County missed passage before a key crossover deadline that would have prompted state Senate consideration.
A modified version of the bill, now simply to fund another study of the stadium issue by the Maryland Stadium Authority and take up design issues, passed the House Appropriations committee by a 17-7 vote. Unfortunately, one of the last minute amendments to the measure turned out to be against the state Constitution, reports the Washington Post's Maryland Moment blog.
The constitutional issue could not be resolved in time to pass a clean version of the bill through committee and the full House of Delegates in time Monday. This failure leaves the stadium issue stalled for the year unless the Senate has a desire to take it up on its own initiative.
With the full Prince George's County Council set to weigh in Tuesday, another failure could drain the life from pro-stadium forces this go-round. Of course, since D.C. United by its own admission doesn't have any other viable area options for a new stadium, the future of the franchise could become a very unclear thing.
______________________Labels: d.c. united, development, maryland, maryland legislature, maryland politics, prince george's county, soccer stadium, sports
