Stadium thread

[hibbingviking]

I agree I love the Vikings

my trips to Minnesota were awesome. I have seen some great games
there. Thats the point in LA they wouldn't be the Vikings anymore.

If they move to L.A. I won't follow them and I might be moving to
LA as well. L.A. is a cool place but its not Minnesota.

unfortunatly I don't think a lot of people in Minnesota realize what
they have. I think the Vikings will leave and I can't say I blame them.
Those people that are fighting a small tax increase might really get affected
when they tax base and jobs the Vikings create leave the area.

the small tax increase wont affect anyones lifestyle. the vikings leaving for LA will make the minnesotas economy worse .

[purple guy]

This, IMO, is classic politics. Politicians are elected to do what they feel is best for their voting public. Very rarely, if ever, will a public vote for a tax increase, pass. This situation is precisely why elected officials are needed, to make the tough decisions. No one in Minnesota govt, wants to make this one. One way or the other. They arent worried about whats best for the state, they are worried about re-election. Period. I can honestly say I have absolutely no idea what I would do if I was an elected official, as Im against the state giving money to anyone, for the most part. However, I know the Vikings are very, very important to the states economy. So I would be torn, but Im not in politics. IF I was, Id make a satnd, one way or the other, based on what I felt was more important. The current lawmakers wont make a stand one way or the other, and that is frustrating to me. They are all on the fence, knowing full well, both sides have valid points. They need to do what they were elected to do, make a decision, and live with it. Stand for something, other than re-election polls. A line from a movie fits here IMO. They are so busy trying to keep their jobs, they are forgetting to do their job.

[CCthebest]

This, IMO, is classic politics. Politicians are elected to do what they feel is best for their voting public. Very rarely, if ever, will a public vote for a tax increase, pass. This situation is precisely why elected officials are needed, to make the tough decisions. No one in Minnesota govt, wants to make this one. One way or the other. They arent worried about whats best for the state, they are worried about re-election. Period. I can honestly say I have absolutely no idea what I would do if I was an elected official, as Im against the state giving money to anyone, for the most part. However, I know the Vikings are very, very important to the states economy. So I would be torn, but Im not in politics. IF I was, Id make a satnd, one way or the other, based on what I felt was more important. The current lawmakers wont make a stand one way or the other, and that is frustrating to me. They are all on the fence, knowing full well, both sides have valid points. They need to do what they were elected to do, make a decision, and live with it. Stand for something, other than re-election polls. A line from a movie fits here IMO. They are so busy trying to keep their jobs, they are forgetting to do their job.

I agree completely. Two things really tick me off. 1st is how everyone waits till the last minute, in state or federal. 2nd is im positive Dayton said he would do everything that could be done to keep the Vikes here WITH a stadium. I dont think hes done a thing other then talk. Heck his family alone could build the thing.

[Demi]

I agree completely. Two things really tick me off. 1st is how everyone waits till the last minute, in state or federal. 2nd is im positive Dayton said he would do everything that could be done to keep the Vikes here WITH a stadium. I dont think hes done a thing other then talk. Heck his family alone could build the thing.

Wave his magic wand? It's the republicans in the legislature that want nothing to do with this. And when it finally starts to come together (with Dayton involved) want to put it to a vote by the public in order to make sure when the Vikings move they can claim it was the citizens that voted and not them. This is on the legislature now, the Governor has put his full support behind it, Zygi and the county people are behind it. If it was as easy as you seem to think it is it'd already be under construction. But a certain political party in this state refuses to have anything to do with spending or tax increases even if the end result is a positive...

[thatguy]

This, IMO, is classic politics. Politicians are elected to do what they feel is best for their voting public.

I disagree with this completely. Politicians are elected to do what they feel is best for their voting public, yes, but very rarely do they do what is best for their voting public when they could be voting for something that may hurt their re-election chances. That's today's politics...Mr. Smith Goes to Washington no longer has place in politics because it's more of a game than ever.

[thatguy]

Wave his magic wand? It's the republicans in the legislature that want nothing to do with this. And when it finally starts to come together (with Dayton involved) want to put it to a vote by the public in order to make sure when the Vikings move they can claim it was the citizens that voted and not them. This is on the legislature now, the Governor has put his full support behind it, Zygi and the county people are behind it. If it was as easy as you seem to think it is it'd already be under construction. But a certain political party in this state refuses to have anything to do with spending or tax increases even if the end result is a positive...

Just a question out of curiosity...what is the Democrat/Republican ratio in the legislature at this point?

[Demi]

Just a question out of curiosity...what is the Democrat/Republican ratio in the legislature at this point?

Senate: 37 Republican 29 Democrat
House: 72 Republican 62 Democrat

Minnesota’s two highest-ranking state legislators have told reporters they want Ramsey County voters to vote on the 0.5-cent sales tax hike that would provide a key funding piece of the Vikings' $1.057 billion project. The Star Tribune has details from Senate Majority leader Amy Koch and House Speaker Kurt Zellers, the powerful political pair who backed Dayton off every tax hike he proposed in a recent budget showdown.

Oh gee, two Republicans!

In what could be a precursor to a fall special session, Dayton directed Metropolitan Council Chairwoman Susan Haigh and his stadium point man, Metropolitan Sports Facilities Commission Chairman Ted Mondale, to conduct a thorough analysis of the risks and costs associated with the site.

The goal is to remove "as many uncertainties as possible before a transaction is finalized," Dayton wrote in the letter, sent Wednesday.

Vikings Vice President Lester Bagley said the team appreciates the governor's move. "Once we get through this [review], we should be in a position to address the stadium issue this fall," Bagley said.

Mondale didn't discount that timetable, saying Dayton's review is an attempt to make the package stronger. "We're working to button up a deal as fast as possible," he said.

The governor called the Vikings a statewide asset and urged the two leaders to conduct their analysis with "all due speed" because "time is of the essence."

Hey look! Something Dayton did to help move the process along! But let's blame HIM for any issues and not the real people holding this back and potentially removing any chance of it happening whatsoever, because they're the same political party we are!

[thatguy]

Senate: 37 Republican 29 Democrat
House: 72 Republican 62 Democrat

thanks.

[OJVIKE]

this is a save the vikings.org rally
http://www.facebook.com/#!/event.php?ei ... 9863607574

[purple guy]

Senate: 37 Republican 29 Democrat
House: 72 Republican 62 Democrat
Oh gee, two Republicans!
Hey look! Something Dayton did to help move the process along! But let's blame HIM for any issues and not the real people holding this back and potentially removing any chance of it happening whatsoever, because they're the same political party we are!

I really dont care if they are republican, democrat, or whatever. No one is taking a stand. Im certainly not blaming the current law-makers, Im blaming them all, equally. Its not like this issue has been divided on party lines, its treated as a re-election issue, by all. Its not a new issue, so its not fair to only blame those currently in office. But, those in office, took an oath to do whats right for those who vote for them, currently, no one is doing their job, IMO. Did those prior, do their job, maybe not. But thats history, over, done. Right now, someone needs to be a leader, make a decision, sell it, and live with the decision he/she makes. No one is doing that. They are all waiting for the chips to fall, then lay blame/credit where it suits them. Thats weak leadership. Period.

[Demi]

It's pretty clear the governor has taken a stand to get a stadium done. And the republicans have taken a stand to do anything in their power to make sure it doesn't. Including putting it on a referendum they know will fail.

And you might not be talking about it on party lines, but there are a couple people here who clearly are. And are being pretty ignorant about it.

[purple guy]

It's pretty clear the governor has taken a stand to get a stadium done. And the republicans have taken a stand to do anything in their power to make sure it doesn't. Including putting it on a referendum they know will fail.

And you might not be talking about it on party lines, but there are a couple people here who clearly are. And are being pretty ignorant about it.

K. Well if not directed towards me, I apologise. And Im not so sure the governors talk isnt just lip service. And that has nothing to do with party lines, just him being a politician. He might say he is committed, but I dont see his actions backing that up. He is tip toeing. As they all are. He wants the Viking stadium done, but not to the degree he will stick his neck out there, at least not yet. Maybe he will, but to date, its all lip service IMO. Talk all ya want, show me. Then Ill buy in. Not just the governor, all of em.

[Raptorman]

It's pretty clear the governor has taken a stand to get a stadium done. And the republicans have taken a stand to do anything in their power to make sure it doesn't. Including putting it on a referendum they know will fail.

And you might not be talking about it on party lines, but there are a couple people here who clearly are. And are being pretty ignorant about it.

Any referendum will fail. Heck in Brown county, WI, you know that mecca of Packer fans, the county which the City of Green Bay resides. When they wanted a .5 cent tax to help refurbish the stadium they put it to a vote. 53%-47% for. That's in a county that lives, breaths and dies but it's team. Heck, half the people who live there own stock. Even so, it only passed by 6 percentage points. Any politician that thinks a vote would pass anywhere else in the country is an idiot.

[CCthebest]

K. Well if not directed towards me, I apologise. And Im not so sure the governors talk isnt just lip service. And that has nothing to do with party lines, just him being a politician. He might say he is committed, but I dont see his actions backing that up. He is tip toeing. As they all are. He wants the Viking stadium done, but not to the degree he will stick his neck out there, at least not yet. Maybe he will, but to date, its all lip service IMO. Talk all ya want, show me. Then Ill buy in. Not just the governor, all of em.

Of course its just lip service. He hasnt accomplished anything at all. The Reps never said they would. I think Dayton is afraid to do anything after the shutdown.

[purple guy]

Any referendum will fail. Heck in Brown county, WI, you know that mecca of Packer fans, the county which the City of Green Bay resides. When they wanted a .5 cent tax to help refurbish the stadium they put it to a vote. 53%-47% for. That's in a county that lives, breaths and dies but it's team. Heck, half the people who live there own stock. Even so, it only passed by 6 percentage points. Any politician that thinks a vote would pass anywhere else in the country is an idiot.

The politicians know it wont pass. They are using that, so if the Vikings leave, they can say "But we put it to a vote, and the voters said no." They know, for a fact, it wont pass, spineless. They want to get elected to make decisions, as long as they are easy decisions.