Steve Cona

This is bigger than baseball. A new Rays ballpark can be the anchor for a true live-work-play-learn district that creates jobs, rebuilds a college campus, attracts private investment, supports local businesses, strengthens the urban core, and expands the tax base without raising tax rates.

@jasmartinez76 @DouglasBattista @LucasBoggPhotog Anyone who says the CIT wasn’t knowingly voted for building stadiums and other things both times and maybe again is a big liar .

Happy Birthday! @JacobsonOnAir

The idea that Tampa “doesn’t have the money” is hard to defend. This is a city with a growing tax base, major capital spending, and more than half its debt tied to revenue-producing infrastructure. If Tampa can finance roads, utilities, parking, water and redevelopment through growth, it can invest $180 million to secure a generational economic asset like the Rays.

@SteveCona Email from Carlson late last night.

What some of our elected officials fail to realize is w/o economic development, there are no new revenues to spend on roads, infrastructure, public safety, parks, or transportation. Communities do not fund their future by standing still. They fund it through growth, investment, tourism, redevelopment, and expanding the tax base. Thriving communities create revenue. #Raysup

Plans for a new entertainment district in downtown Tampa are in motion. wfla.com/news/hillsboro…

The Tampa Bay Rays, the owners of the best record in the major leagues, have spent nearly two decades trying to build a new stadium. Their latest proposal might be their last shot. 🔗 on.wsj.com/43mBZt1

@ThomasAKaspar @SenRickScott Exactly the reason, Rays deal needs to happen!

@SenRickScott Why is Charlie Miranda and Josh Wostal in government in Tampa ?

More troubling news for Florida job numbers this morning. Florida’s unemployment rate is still way above the national average, 65 out of 67 counties are over the average as well, and our state had the second-fastest unemployment increase in the country. Every Floridian deserves a shot at the American dream. We need to buckle down to bring back jobs, get government out of the way, and get our state back to work.

@Variety @jasmartinez76 😢

Rob Base, 'It Takes Two' Rapper, Dies at 59 variety.com/2026/music/new…

@jasmartinez76 @DanielCane1970 I believe it’s $50 million per year, so if it doesn’t happen I think it would stop there.

@DanielCane1970 @SteveCona So the money gets assigned to the college, the deal collapses what happens? Do funds remain with the college? Is it contingent on the deal going through?

State of Florida stepping up! #RaysUp

The developers behind Water Street Tampa are betting big on entertainment, unveiling plans for more dining, retail, hospitality and live music downtown. businessobserverfl.com/news/2026/may/…

Tampa Bay has always been a great baseball area — from the days of Ruth and Gehrig in spring training to the legends who hail from Tampa like Boggs, McGriff, etc. The Rays can have a strong future in Tampa Bay. Just need the right formula.

Ken Babby on Rays Stadium, Brooke Bennett & USF Hoops Coach Chris Mack x.com/i/broadcasts/1…

The future of Tampa cannot belong to just a few zip codes. Every neighborhood deserves to share in our city’s success. From New Tampa to West Tampa, from East Tampa to South Tampa, every part of our community matters. Progress should strengthen our neighborhoods, not leave them behind. Learn more: bobbuckhorn.com

The Tampa Bay Rays, the owners of the best record in the major leagues, have spent nearly two decades trying to build a new stadium. Their latest proposal might be their last shot. on.wsj.com/4v2qbYI

People can debate stadium deals all day. But no community celebrates losing a professional sports team. Even Miami would not choose to lose the Marlins. The real regret is not investing in this project. The real regret is watching a major-league asset leave and spending decades trying to get it back. Tampa Bay needs to finish the job. #RaysUp

Luis Viera made a great point. The county is already tripling the city's money. That is a no brainer. #RaysUp VOTE YES!

@JacobsonOnAir @PatandAaronShow 🔥

I’m going scorched earth Friday on the @PatandAaronShow towards anyone who voted no today on the non binding MOU. Starting with the dinosaur who might torch the deal based on his AI driven research

@PatDonovanRadio @CityofTampa They definitely were close to blowing it!!!!

@SteveCona @CityofTampa Today made me nervous that they're going to blow it.

The @CityofTampa is by far the biggest winner in the Rays deal. For the smallest public investment, the City stands to generate major long-term revenue, growth, and economic activity. Hopefully, city leaders realize how close they came to losing this opportunity for the people of Tampa. #RaysUp @RaysForeverHome

Hats off to @kenbabby for his tireless work helping bring @RaysForeverHome to Tampa. Big moment for our region. Now let’s get it across the finish line. #RaysUp