SState Rep. David Simmons serves Florida House District 37, which is located mainly in the southwest corner of Seminole County, indicated by yellow area on map above

State Rep. David Simmons serves Florida House District 37, which is located mainly in the southwest corner of Seminole County.

As Seminole County's representative from that district, it would seem sensible to assume that Rep. Simmons would seek to serve the interests of its residents.

Instead, for whatever reasons, Mr. Simmons has chosen to carry water for the Orlando Magic in pursuit of a new or refurbished arena in downtown Orlando.

Rep. Simmons introduced a bill last week calling for the redirection of state tax revenue.  Rep. Simmons wants to take it away from other infrastructure projects, such as schools and roads, and apply the funds, totaling $99 million, towards the arena.

Rep. Simmons plan is unlike most such plans in that it seeks to take the funds from the general revenue account, which normally goes towards roads and schools.

The representative asserts that keeping the Magic in Orlando will serve the interests of all surrounding counties, including Seminole.  The flaw in his logic is that his theory has been debunked time and again by independent economic studies.

Whose interests is David Simmons serving?

The general independent conclusion is that professional sports franchises have no positive economic bearing on their communities, and may actrually have a negative effect.

The only assertions otherwise come from those with a vested interest in sports franchises, such as the Orlando Magic, and public officials whose personal fortunes are intertwined.

It is general knowledge that Rep. Simmons has higher statewide political ambitions.  His efforts to spend public funds on an arena for the Orlando Magic seem much more consistent with those personal ambitions than the public interest he was elected to serve.