Just as recent polls had shown, the quarter cent sales tax to pay for a new downtown arena was not a popular idea. Voters rejected Measures Q and R. But County Supervisor Roger Dickinson, one of the main proponents of a new arena, says their down but not out.
"We took a risk. We ended up falling on our face. Now we pick ourselves up and dust ourselves off."
Dickinson says the next step for arena backers is to form a non-profit group called Share the Vision to keep the idea of a new arena alive.
That’s unwelcome news to Sacramento State Assemblyman Dave Jones – a strong opponent of a publicly subsidized arena.
"I’m astonished to hear that they’re planning to disregard the will of the voters."
Jones says the private sector should build a new arena.
As for the owners of the Sacramento Kings, Joe and Gavin Maloof released a statement saying they respect the voter’s decision, nevertheless they’re committed to the effort of replacing Arco Arena.