OP mentions "my tax dollars going to something that I want and I care about."

On one hand, I get this. I don't want my tax dollars to go to something I don't want and don't care about. It's my money, so it should benefit me.

But that's not primarily what tax dollars are for. They're not for me, they're for the public good, and it's "better" (by some public definition) for tax dollars to fund things that the public needs and will use. I don't think a soccer stadium in Pawtucket does as much good as infrastructure or investment in community benefits that directly help citizens generally.

You could have both – say, a stadium AND adequate law enforcement, good roads, public transportation, etc. But the latter group of things benefits everyone, and the stadium is of direct benefit only to the users (and a few vendors who sell stuff there).

I would if there were any and i could afford the interest. But there aren't and I cant

Same people mad at this are ok with banning Dr. Seuss books.

Narrator but he was willing to do all sorts of “things” for the money…for the right price” 😎

No place is perfect but must feel good right now with all the housing crisis to know your home is yours. I get missing stuff I lived in VT and Florida but always came back to RI I love it here, Despite being so expensive

Nice people down there. Once had a boss from W. Virginia, once of the nicest men who always tried to teach me new stuff and had a real dad vibe.

Fuuuck I bought in September and I would’ve qualified. Oof.

There used to be a soccer team that played there when I was growing up, The Stingrays.

I bought on south coast MA, better deals and lower taxes

bought a house in January 2022 and people told me I was crazy… house is up 20% in value and I’m locked in at 3% — don’t listen to anyone, just buy it and figure it out later

Just say you hate soccer It's easier then just complaining. The state loves its soccer and the numbers shows. It's never gonna please everyone ( you included ) So just keep it to the point. You hate soccer Move along.

Fair, I’m a sucker for the liquor store that’s got a list of people not to take checks from prominently displayed.

congratulations that’s a great decision… you bought a home for less than one year income !!!

We got 2.875 in April 2020. We were not planning for this to be our forever house but not sure how we can let go of that interest rate

I moved from Providence to south central Kansas in 2004...did well on the sale of my home (Elmhurst area) so I was able to pay cash for a new place here. Paid $42k for a 2 bed/1 bath with 1/3 acre lot. Extremely rural area, less than 1,000 residents. Quiet, peaceful, very low cost of living. Got a job at the prison 40 minutes north of town, made $58k in my first year (managed the prison kitchens) with a little OT and zero experience in that field.

The downside? I miss my family, the ocean, a vibrant downtown scene, great restaurants and nightlife. There is literally none of that here.

There might be no state income taxes but money gotta come from somewhere. People complain about property taxes here, some places there are just absolutely horridly expensive.

I just like the bigger bang for your buck at Costco lol

Yeah, 3.5% here, I don't think I'll sell anytime soon, my mortgage with taxes included is pretty much what I was paying for rent almost 4 years ago.

I really don’t have a huge problem with the status quo, tbh. Maybe it’s growing up with it but it’s not that huge of an inconvenience

I’ll be showing up to support them wherever they play. I hope construction goes to plan and this stadium opens in March, 2024. I know that can be a big ask for a state like Rhode Island but I believe in it wholeheartedly!

I’ll be buying tickets to see them wherever they play!

I understand your concerns, but the USL Championship has been relatively stable, at least compared to other minor soccer leagues in the US, and again the teams that performed well tend to be poached upwards, where there’s more money and more stability. Rhode Island is a top 10 television market for soccer and the team has already set the League record for season ticket deposits, and I think those markers taken together with soccer’s rapidly increasing popularity (now even with ice hockey and expected to outpace both hockey and baseball by 2040), the potential for this team is huge.

At the end of the day I understand people’s concerns, but I love the idea of a professional soccer club in Rhode Island and I’m going to be there on opening day, hopefully with 10,000 other fans, to cheer this team on.

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Costco actually helped change the liquor laws in Washington state so they could sell liquor through their stores. It could happen here too!

I understand your issues, but I’m a taxpayer here too and I’m glad we’re funding something I love. Our tax dollars often go to things we don’t care about or even that we don’t like, but again I am happy to help build this and excited for what it could bring to Pawtucket and to Rhode Island as a whole