It was inevitable. Now it is final. Voters will not be deciding on a new ballpark for San Jose this November. MLB Commissioner Bud Selig has asked the city to wait, and the Mayor has agreed.

The decision comes after lengthy negotiations between Selig and Chuck Reed, with the Mayor telling Selig to hurry up and decide already, and Selig responding that he’s going as fast as he can.

There is, however, some good news for San Jose. Selig reportedly agreed to reach a decision by the year’s end, and also agreed to chip in on the ballot initiative, which will likely be held next March. Of course, if he agrees to chip in on the cost of a special ballot, it could only mean one thing. He tends to think that there will be a need to hold that special election after all. Good work, Mayor Reed.

All of this means that the August 3 meeting can focus on some more pressing issues for the city’s financial future. To other ballot issues to be debated are City Councilmember Pierluigi Oliverio’s proposal to amend the city charter to allow for a second-tier pension plan, and the Mayor’s own proposal to end (or limit to the point that it effectively ends) binding arbitration when contract negotiations with the police and fire department unions grind to a standstill—not like that would ever happen. Frankly, these two issues promise to be far more daunting than the stadium question, and will require all the extra time for the heated debate that is sure to ensue.
Read More at ABC 7.