Backup Vikings stadium funding source to surface
Published 10:29 am Thursday, May 16, 2013
ST. PAUL — A new plan for paying off Minnesota Vikings stadium debate is about to surface at the state Capitol as the legislative session nears its conclusion.
Leaders of a House-Senate committee crafting a wider-ranging tax bill alluded to the new proposal while trading offers on Wednesday.
They simply list it as the “Governor’s Vikings Proposal” in a spreadsheet that indicates it will generate $32 million over two years. The money would repay public bonds that will be sold to pay for the new $975 million stadium in Minneapolis.
Last year, the Legislature authorized new electronic gambling to cover stadium costs, but games haven’t come close to raising the needed money.
Gov. Mark Dayton’s administration has kept quiet about its backup funding option, but intensifying tax talks won’t allow that much longer.