Arlington City Council is set to vote Tuesday, April 21, on a $273 million public spending proposal tied to the Dallas Cowboys’ lease of AT&T Stadium, a move that would keep the team in the city through 2055 if approved.
The proposed agreement has already sparked pushback from some residents and legal observers who question whether voters should have a direct say.
“[The council is] looking to give new dollars to the Cowboys without voter approval, based on the idea that the voters already approved this money,” Norred Law PLLC owner Warren Norred wrote on Facebook.
“We’ll see if the council thinks that is a good idea… then we may see if the courts agree. Here’s hoping that our council has more respect for the voters than this.”
Others echoed similar concerns online.
“Why do we persist in corporate welfare?” Richard Briscoe wrote in a Facebook comment.
Some council members have voiced support for the extension while acknowledging concerns about public input.
“It’s a good thing for the city. It’s going to continue the partnership through 2055,” Arlington City Councilmember Bowie Hogg said, according to CBS News.
“I think the big question is how we say yes. I think the citizens should have a say in this.”
Arlington Mayor Democrat Jim Ross defended the proposal, arguing that voters had already approved the broader framework of the deal.
“We have the best stadium in the world, and we want to make sure we remain the best stadium in the world,” Ross said.
“Here’s the reality,” Ross said. “We’ve already been approved by the voters.”
The City Council agenda for April 21 lists the Cowboys lease extension as Item 11.1 under Consideration of Resolutions. The item calls for approval of “a resolution authorizing the City Manager to execute a Master Agreement Regarding Cowboys Stadium Extension between Cowboys Stadium L.P., Dallas Cowboys Football Club, L.T.D., and the City of Arlington.”
Arlington mayoral candidate Hunter Crow also stated his support for the vote.
“I support renewing the lease. Revenue from Arlington’s Entertainment District has allowed the city to invest in services that otherwise would have been difficult to fund because of the Dallas Cowboys’ presence in the city,” Crow told The Dallas Express.
The Dallas Express reached out to mayoral candidates Shaun Mallory and Steve Cavender for comment but did not receive a response.
