The idea of using escalating race track taxes to finance sports arenas andconvention complexes around the state has hit a snag, but one leader saysit’s not skuttled. A gambling bill which is stalled in the Senate wouldfreeze race track taxes at 26 percent. Those taxes are to rise to 36 percentwithin five years, and House Speaker Ron Corbett has suggested using thatextra 10 percent in track taxes to bankroll major metropolitan projects likebaseball stadiums or convention centers.Corbett met Monday with developers and city officials who are interested ingetting state support for a sports complex in downtown Des Moines.Corbett says besides Des Moines, other Iowa metros are considering huge cityprojects which could be considered for the program he envisions.
