Stadium thread

[dead_poet]

Pawlenty: Vikings stadium `unlikely but possible'

Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty is describing the Vikings chances of getting a stadium deal this legislative session as "unlikely but possible."

Pawlenty offered his assessment Wednesday in response to questions about the football team's latest behind-the-scenes manuevering. Team officials have been meeting with legislators about possible financing options.

The Republican governor, who leaves office in January, said he won't permit state taxes to be used for a stadium. He said the state budget gap and proposed education changes should be dealt with before a stadium bill gets serious consideration.

The Vikings are under lease in the Metrodome through the 2011 season.

http://www.startribune.com/local/908572 ... :_Yyc:aUUs

[PurpleMustReign]

Pawlenty: Vikings stadium `unlikely but possible'
http://www.startribune.com/local/908572 ... :_Yyc:aUUs

I could very easily say something about Pawlenty here, but I won't for fear of getting banned. But I hope they get something done. I can't believe it is as hard as they are making it.

[dead_poet]

Suddenly, a blitz of stadium ideas - and plenty of critics
A special Vikings license plate and extended sales taxes in Minneapolis are among the proposals in play at the Capitol.

Plans for a new Minnesota Vikings stadium are emerging with fresh detail at the Legislature, with as many as a dozen funding schemes being floated -- from extended sales taxes in Minneapolis to a special Vikings license plate.

Several legislators say they are aiming to unveil a comprehensive stadium bill toward the end of this month, despite a mounting chorus of critics.

Full article: http://www.startribune.com/politics/sta ... DEh7P:DiUs

[bigskyeric]

A while back, I was talking about Montana and it's License plates that pay for many different organizations. Some of you agreed with the idea. Today, the star tribune is saying the idea is being kicked around the legislature. There is a poll you can participate in, and the license plate idea is in 2nd place behind the racino idea. (actually it is in 3rd, but the number 2 idea is "let the vikes pay for it themselves" which we all know is coming from non-fans with no clue about the value of the Vikings to the state of Minnesota) I love the Racino Idea, but I know the Tribes give A LOT of money to the powers-that-be so I see that as a major road block. The poll is on the last page of this article. http://www.startribune.com/politics/sta ... DEh7P:DiUs

[OJVIKE]

My old man believes the slot machine thing will never ever work in Minne because of how much money the Tribes contribute to the DFL. He says the LittleSix tribe alone give $750k a year. So if this plan doesn't work, you'll know who to blame. I don't know the actual numbers, but he named off every tribe and how much each contributes. He gambles A LOT so I trust his figures.

This is true...but how much would a "state owned" bring in.....much more than a donation of 750k...i would think anyway.My vote is for "RACINO".
http://www.racinonow.com/

[PsyDanny]

So someone please refresh my memory - what is the status of the gambling industry viz a viz the State and the Native American tribes. Is there some kind of agreement to limit casino type gambling to the tribes? Would this be breaking another treaty/agreement, or is the State of Minnesota "free and clear" so-to-speak, legally, to expand gambling as it wishes?

[Puddin'Taine]

So someone please refresh my memory - what is the status of the gambling industry viz a viz the State and the Native American tribes. Is there some kind of agreement to limit casino type gambling to the tribes? Would this be breaking another treaty/agreement, or is the State of Minnesota "free and clear" so-to-speak, legally, to expand gambling as it wishes?

As far as I know, there is legislation or agreements based on Counties and the Tribes that make up the majority of the pop. in those specific counties. The main County being Carver/Shokopee, where Canterbury is so from what I understand that is the main wall with the "Racino" idea at Canturbury. I know back when Ventura was Gov. there was big debate about opening and allowing a "State" owned casino limit in Hennipen Cty. downtown MNpls. but it got stalled because of complaints that the Tribes would lose revenue due to Henn. residents no longer needing to travel out to Shokopee. and it would've supposedly poached Mystic regulars because if it was state owned in Henn, then they would've been able to allow Liquor sales as well. But the Leg. was able to be conviced to drop the idea based on teh rebuttal that the state would recieve less tax $$$ from the tribes because Casino rev would go down in the Tribal counties.

I don't know how relevant or similar arguments might/may be now based on this issue, but as far as I know it's based on County.


I say go with License Plates, Purple ribbon magnets for your car, Bumper Stickers, T SHirts, Lawn Signs, and a Lottery Ticket. I just don't see how we wouldn't have nearly all of the $$ needed for the full stadium after a season or a year of people Buying these things in no time. That way it gives every MN resident the personal option whether they would like to contribute or not and also not have to deal with all the crap legislation needed as of now.

I'd buy at least 2 of each.

[Puddin'Taine]

Here is a nice letter to be published in the Austin Daily Herald this Monday morning written by Harry Melander, President Minnesota State Building & Construction Trades Council.

Announcing their support for a new Stadium.

"In 2009, unemployment in the construction trades, those workers we represent and would work on a new Vikings Stadium, was roughly 25 percent. This is three times greater than Minnesota's unemployment rate of 7.4 percent. There were almost 40,000 less construction workers employed last year than in 2005."

For anyone else interested
The rest of the Letter is here:

http://www.austindailyherald.com/news/2 ... -solution/

[bigskyeric]

This is true...but how much would a "state owned" bring in.....much more than a donation of 750k...i would think anyway.My vote is for "RACINO".
http://www.racinonow.com/

C. Downs expects a profit of $60 million a year after paying the State of MN $40 million for the stadium. That's $100 million they would be taking away from Mystic Lake, Treasure Island, and others. Most likely, it would impact Mystic the most. The Members of that tribe are all Millionaires. So here is an idea. What if we as Vikings Fans were to get organized, make an ad campaign with the theme "Vikings Fans will No longer step foot in your Casinos if you don't allow C.Downs to pay for the new Stadium"... you get the idea. In other words, we would give them a lose-lose situation. And could be able to point the blame at them if the Vikings Leave town. Anyways, time to start writing letters again....woohoo (sarcasm)

[dead_poet]

4th and Goal! April 20th at 6 PM SavetheVikes.org Final eRally Broadcast for the 2010 Legislative Session

Time is running out on this legislative session to pass a bill to keep the Minnesota Vikings here in Minnesota once and for all! Currently there are 4 bills with verbiage circulating the Capitol. We as fans, citizens and constituents need to step up and let our state leaders at the Capitol know we need legislative action on the stadium issue NOW!

With your help, and the help of your friends, the Vikings can get a bill passed before the session ends in May.

If we don’t pass a bill now, it will be another year before we have one last chance to try again!

There are 3 things you can do right now, RIGHT THIS SECOND to make a positive impact:

* Mark your calendars for the eRally that will be broadcast on http://www.SavetheVikes.org Tuesday, April 20th starting at 6 PM.
* Email your legislative leaders by clicking on http://www.savethevikes.org/huddle-up/ and fill out the form to locate and send an email to your Senator and Rep.
* Copy this into an email and send to all of your family, friends and coworkers asking them to do the same 3 things.

We need to mobilize now and send a loud and powerful message to our state leaders! With that we are holding a live video eRally to achieve the goal of keeping the Vikings in Minnesota and are asking you to spread the word and participate.

The live video eRally will broadcast online at the SavetheVikes.org website. Hosting the event are Timberwolves in-arena host and captivating television personality Natalie Kane, along with SavetheVikes.org founder and fan/advocate Cory Merrifield.

The pair will urge fans to email Minnesota’s elected officials and tell them it’s time to take action on a new stadium to keep the Vikings here.

Over the course of the eRally, Merrifield and Kane will interview an array of public figures from all walks of Minnesota life. Special guests include:

* Racino legislative leaders former Senate Minority leader Dick Day and Representative Tom Hackbarth.
* Vikings Assistant PR Director and Minnesota Momentum Executive Director Jeff Anderson.
* Vikings legend Bob Lurtsema.
* Metropolitan Sports facilities Commission Chair Roy Terwilliger and Executive Director Bill Lester.
* Former Minnesota Gophers Jeff and Nick Tow-Arnett.
* Local actress and model Nicole Lauren.
* More to be announced soon.

The event will be filmed live from Token Media studios in Minneapolis and produced by local producer Josh Sundby.

The eRally will also feature a web forum moderated by SavetheVikes.org co-founder Brian Ashbaugh.

Please, don’t close this article without emailing your state leaders and forwarding on to your family, friends and coworkers!

http://www.savethevikes.org/2010/04/14/ ... e-session/

[PsyDanny]

Anyone else want to sign up for those "chattering classes" with me?

http://www.startribune.com/opinion/comm ... c:_Yyc:aUU

[dead_poet]

Slots-for-Vikings stadium pitch fails again

A proposal to allow slot machines to help pay for a new Vikings football stadium fell flat Tuesday in the Minnesota House.

Rep. Tom Hackbarth, R-Cedar, tried to attach the plan to a large agriculture and veterans bill, but a procedural decision determined it was unrelated to that bill. Hackbarth's appeal of the ruling failed on a 99-31 vote.

"This issue is not going away,'' Hackbarth promised.

With three weeks to go in the legislative session, some lawmakers are trying to persuade their colleagues to approve a new home for the Vikings, whose lease at the Metrodome runs out after the 2011 season. But leaders in the House and Senate have been cool to it.

http://www.twincities.com/sports/ci_14972773

[J. Kapp 11]

I don't live in Minnesota, so perhaps I don't understand the political climate, but ...

I don't get this.

Why is the Minnesota legislature so hard against building a stadium for the Vikings?

Public funding was used to build Target Field, right? The legislature jumped through many hoops to give Hennepin County permission to increase its sales tax without a referendum. So why are they so dead-set against cooperating on a Vikings stadium deal? Are they afraid they'll be going to the well once too often?

It just blows my mind. This team has been in Minnesota for 50 years. It's a huge revenue source for the city. And if you build a stadium with a retractable roof, you can use it year-round for concerts or anything you want. Why would the legislature jeopardize the situation? Are the citizens of Minnesota THAT against it?

EDIT: Read some of the posts above. Those answer the question somewhat. Thanks.

[bigskyeric]

I don't live in Minnesota, so perhaps I don't understand the political climate, but ...

I don't get this.

The 'climate' is why many of us moved away. They obviously learned absolutely NOTHING from the Northstars/Wild debacle.

[dead_poet]

Vikings stadium bill needs hurry-up offense
Time and critics are working against passage of a Vikings stadium package this legislative session.

With time running out, critics lining up and still no funding agreement, the Minnesota Vikings' chances of winning approval for a new stadium at the Legislature look daunting. A lead sponsor of stadium legislation, Senate Taxes Chairman Tom Bakk said Thursday that a bill would have to be introduced and have its first hearing next week for a chance at passage in the remaining two weeks of the legislative session.

Bakk, who spent much of Thursday trying to work through the details of a final bill, said that after months of negotiations, there is no agreement on how to fund the $800 million project and objections to nearly every revenue proposal suggested.

Full story: http://www.startribune.com/sports/vikings/92430934.html