Minn. House committee to hear backup stadium tax

Published 9:36 am Wednesday, April 10, 2013

ST. PAUL — The Minnesota House Taxes Committee is set to review a proposal for new sales taxes on sports jersey and other memorabilia licensed by pro teams as a way to help pay for the struggling Minnesota Vikings stadium project.

The hearing is scheduled for Wednesday afternoon. The committee’s chairwoman, Rep. Ann Lenczewski, proposed the sports memorabilia tax amid concerns of lagging tax revenues from electronic gambling that are supposed to pay the state’s share of the $975 million stadium. She would also extend the state sales tax to luxury seats at pro sports venues.

Lenczewski voted against the Vikings stadium bill last year but says it’s every lawmaker’s responsibility to address concerns about funding. Gov. Mark Dayton has said he thinks concerns stadium tax revenue are overblown but said it’s the prerogative of legislators to consider backup financing.

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