Georgia county says removing of All-Star recreation will value tourism $100M

Cobb County, Ga., Estimates Major League Baseball (MLB) decision to remove the All-Star game from Atlanta will cost the tourism industry in the area $ 100 million.

MLB pulled the all-star game on Friday from Georgia in protest of the state’s controversial new electoral law, which the government has signed. Brian KempBrian KempTrump calls for boycott of MLB for moving All-Star Game House Republican calls MLB “absolutely pathetic” for moving the all-star game Warnock: MLB decision “unfortunate” consequence of Georgian law MORE (R) last month.

The decision was the furthest any company has taken in protest of legislation that has tightened voting restrictions.

The law has sparked a wave of backlash from Democrats and constituencies who say the new law is a form of voter repression.

Holly Quinlan, President and CEO of Cobb Travel and Tourism, said CNN in a statement that the “estimated lost economic impact” of the league’s decision is over $ 100 million.

“In the early stages of the pandemic, many have Cobb [County] Hotels had single-digit occupancy rates, ”Quinlan told CNN. “The more than 8,000 contractually agreed hotel nights that are not realized due to the relocation of the MLB All-Star Game will have a negative impact on the Cobb hotel industry and other local companies and will further delay recovery.”

Quinlan said in separately a press conference on Friday that the event “would have been a huge boost for Cobb companies and helped in recovery efforts from the COVID-19 pandemic”.

“We are proud of the work that many community partners have done in planning the All Star Game activities. And we will continue to show who we are at Cobb, as always, through our reach, our customer service and our hard work, ”she said.

Republicans criticized the MLB’s decision and criticized the league for giving in to demands from the left.

Former President TrumpDonald TrumpThe White House says bills are bipartisan even when the GOP doesn’t vote for them Gaetz bragged about “access” to women by a Florida tax collector who was indicted in the federal case: Report Trump calls for boycott of MLB for moving All-Star Game MORE on Friday called for a boycott the MLB for “intervening in free and fair elections”.

And some GOP legislators, including Sens. Mike LeeMichael (Mike) Shumway LeeHillicon Valley: The Supreme Court rules Facebook text notifications that are not comparable to robocalls. Republicans push Google, Apple, Amazon on Parler removals | The Texas Senate prevents social media platforms from banning users for political reasons Republicans are pushing Google, Apple, Amazon on Parler removals The Hill’s Morning Report – Biden switches to filibuster MORE (Utah), Ted CruzRafael (Ted) Edward CruzO’Rourke clarifies remarks and leaves the door open to an offer from the governor O’Rourke says he has no plans to run for governor of Texas Ocasio-Cortez to Cruz: Your resignation is 84 days overdue MORE (Texas) and Rep. Jeff DuncanJeffrey (Jeff) Darren DuncanGOP senators are pushing to end MLB cartel status Trump calls for boycott of MLB for moving All-Star Game Republicans Blow Up MLB For Moving All-Star Game MORE (SC) demanded an end on the antitrust status of the league.

SB 202 limits the number of ballot boxes and requires, among other things, photo ID for postal voting. More controversial, it is illegal to distribute food or drink to anyone within 150 feet of polling stations, including those in line to vote.

Republicans argued that this should ensure free and fair elections in the face of widespread electoral fraud in the 2020 election. However, there is no evidence that widespread fraud plagued the elections, and critics of the law have argued that it was voter suppression.

Kemp defended the law in a press conference on Saturday he said restrictions were “worth” the boycotts and lawsuits that have taken place since then.

“Free and fair elections are the basis of who we are as a state and nation. Safe, accessible and fair elections are worth the threat. They are worth both the boycotts and the lawsuits, ”he said.