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Goldwater Institute asks Glendale City Council to kindly not screw taxpayers over Coyotes

Chicago Blackhawks v Phoenix Coyotes - Game Two

GLENDALE, AZ - APRIL 14: Goaltender Mike Smith #41 of the Phoenix Coyotes leads teammates onto the ice before Game Two of the Western Conference Quarterfinals against the Chicago Blackhawks during the 2012 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs at Jobing.com Arena on April 14, 2012 in Glendale, Arizona. The Blackhawks defeated the Coyotes 4-3 in overtime. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)

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The Glendale City Council will soon be voting on a proposal that will see the city fork out $325 million in all to potential Coyotes owner Greg Jamison. Regional watchdog group, the Goldwater Institute, has been involved in the team’s dealings in the past and they’ve got some concerns this time around as well.

Goldwater Institute president and CEO Darcy Olsen sent a letter to the mayor of Glendale and the city council to address their concerns with the potential deal. To sum it up, they don’t want to see the taxpayers in Glendale end up over a barrel thanks to the deal.

Goldwater’s concerns hover around the possibility this deal can bring into effect the “gift clause” that helped kill Matthew Hulsizer’s bid to buy the team. They’re also asking about the cost parking rights, arena use at Jobing.com Arena, as well as the speed all of this is happening.

Goldwater isn’t alone in their worries, but it’s clear the financial issues the City of Glendale have run into recently are wearing on the minds of more than a few locals.