State financing for Charlotte’s NASCAR Hall of Fame bid cleared its first turn Wednesday, but tourism groups say they’re prepared to put up a major roadblock if the city doesn’t change the way it would handle the money. The N.C. Senate Finance Committee unanimously backed a funding bill that goes to the full Senate today. It would allow Charlotte to increase its tax on hotel rooms from 6 percent to 8 percent to help pay for the hall. That would give the city the highest room tax in the state. Charlotte is working to get a $137.5 million financing plan into NASCAR’s hands by a May 31 deadline, and state backing is a key component. Charlotte is competing with four other cities for the hall, including Atlanta and Kansas City. The Florida Legislature’s refusal this month to commit $30 million to Daytona Beach hurt that city’s bid in many observers’ eyes.(Charlotte Observer)(5-20-2005)
