Miscellany

Legislation to let voters decide if they want to raise taxes to build a new stadium for the Detroit Tigers was signed into law by Michigan Gov. John Engler. The measure will allow Wayne County residents to vote on a $17-million-a-year tax to pay off construction bonds.

It will allow county voters to increase by up to 1% the excise taxes on hotel, motel and restaurant bills, and it will allow an additional tax of up to 2% on short-term car rentals.

The proposed tax originally applied only to Tiger Stadium and the Detroit Tigers. But lawmakers expanded it to include five more counties that might want to fund a professional park, entertainment facility or convention center.