The Dallas Stars' corporate entity has contributed more than $980,000 to Victory Green Plano, the political action committee campaigning for Proposition A, according to campaign finance records. The measure asks voters to approve up to five taxes to help fund a city-owned arena for the NHL team. The opposing Stop the Stars Arena committee, formed by residents, has raised around $13,000 from a few dozen Plano residents, according to the latest records.
Stars CEO Brad Alberts said in an interview that the team "needs to be partners to the city." He said the team is helping fund the PAC so the election passes. The Stars said a Plano arena would place the team closer to many season-ticket holders. City officials said the arena could help revive The Shops at Willow Bend. Plano could contribute up to $700 million to the project, financed in part through the proposed venue taxes. The City Council would decide which of the taxes to levy, which could apply to parking, tickets, hotel rooms, car rentals and major league players.
Records show HNTB, the firm selected to design the arena, contributed $15,000 to Victory Green Plano through a political committee. Winstead PC, a law firm that represented the Stars in a legal dispute with the Dallas Mavericks, contributed $10,000. Stop the Stars Arena chair Karen Dubrow said residents are receiving many flyers and texts from Victory Green Plano, which she said has spent more than $800,000. Her committee has spent about $5,800 on yard signs, flyers, a website, texts and an event. Election Day is Nov. 3, and early voting runs through Friday.