Portland has already made a presentation to the Major League Baseball committee in a bid to win the ownership for the Montreal Expos franchise.
A bill to fund a new baseball stadium in Portland has now been introduced into the Oregon House of Representatives.
The bill would authorize the state's $150million contribution for a new ballpark by selling bonds paid for by redirecting income taxes from the salaries of players and team employees with salaries of over $100,000.
The bill was requested by six construction organizations and unions, two tourism groups, the Portland Business Group, the Oregon Sports Authority, Oregon Stadium Campaign and Portland Baseball Group, rather than sponsored by individual legislators.
Groups from the District of Columbia and Northern Virginia also met last week with the committee, which hopes to select the team's new home and new owner by July's All-Star Game. It's not known if the team will relocate in time for the 2004 season.
Portland has moved to increase its chances of winning a Major League Baseball franchise by seeking approval to build a new stadium in the city.
