Greater Minnesotans Push for Vikes Stadium

Two Greater Minnesota legislators are barking out the signals for a new Vikings stadium in the Twin Cities. State Senator Tom Bakk of Cook and State Representative Loren Solberg of Grand Rapids think they have the game plan to make a new home for the Vikings a reality.

A bipartisan group of lawmakers introduced a bill to build a new multi-purpose stadium today. The group says no state money for schools, roads, healthcare, or any other state programs can be used to build the new stadium.

Solberg says only those who benefit from a Vikings stadium would pay for it.

Solberg says until the budget is balanced, they will not send this bill to the governor’s desk. He insists they will not pass a bill that adds a nickel to the deficit, or takes a dime from nursing homes, schools, roads, or hospitals.

Under the proposal rolled out today, the Vikings would pay $264 million up-front for construction costs. The remaining $527 million price tag would be financed over 40 years through a tax on metro area hotels, jersey purchases, rental cars and a sports-themed scratch off game.