Mendota Heights Lawmakers Differ on Vikings Stadium Funding
The question of public financing for a new Vikings stadium divides Mendota Heights lawmakers.
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As Governor Mark Dayton continues to scramble for a way to help finance a proposed $1.1 billion Minnesota Vikings stadium with public funds, Mendota Heights lawmakers spoke out on their about how—and whether—to keep football in the state.
Sen. Jim Metzen (D-District 39) said he is willing to consider a variety of options—including usage fees and video lottery, memorabilia and parking taxes—to fund a new stadium.
“I’m kind of open for all those things,” he said.
A plan to fund the stadium with $300 million in state funds and a $350 million contribution from Ramsey County was rejected by state lawmakers on Tuesday. Dayton has called for a special legislative session on the stadium issue to be held later in November.
Metzen was adamant that he would not support a general tax, but said he thought public financing for the stadium stood a “fair to good, but not excellent, chance of passing.”
Rep. Rick Hansen (D-District 39A) said he was strongly opposed to public financing for a Vikings stadium.
“I’d rather be investing in public infrastructure that has a long-term public benefit—roads, bridges, sewers, rail,” he said. “I think that’s a more worthy investment for scarce public dollars.”
Hansen voted against public financing for the Twins stadium.
“I think (professional sports teams) are the wrong priority for public financing,” he said.
Metzen said his preference for public financing for the stadium is to pass the racino bill, which would bring about $160 million a year into the Minnesota’s coffers by allowing slot machines at the state’s two racetracks.
“We could take $30 million of that for awhile, pay our share for the stadium and take the other $110, $120 million and pay back all the money we’ve borrowed from the schools,” he said. “There's already 18 casinos in the state—I don’t think two more where the state could collect would lead to additional addiction.”
This pro-gambling position places Metzen in the minority among Democrats.
“The majority of our caucus is not for the expansion of gaming,” he said.
One point Metzen and Hansen agreed on is their opposition to Dayton’s proposal to take money from the Arts and Cultural Heritage Fund, known as Legacy funds, to pay for the stadium.
“Having been someone who co-authored the (Legacy funds) amendment, served on the conference committee that wrote it and campaigned for it, I don’t believe that that meets the constitutional language,” Hansen said.
Metzen said the fund was dedicated to the outdoors and the arts, not to funding sports arenas.
“I don’t think the people voted for that,” he said.
Donald Lee
11:29 am on Friday, November 4, 2011
I strongly support Rep. Hansen's position on "the stadium". The Vikings are a private business, and should not be getting huge subsidies from taxpayers.
I am disappointed in Sen. Metzen, who appears to think that it is his own money he would be spending.
We just went through a big budget battle, and a MN Government shutdown. We have to have some priorities, and some discipline. We have no _extra_ money! A spiffy new stadium for the wealthy owners and players in the NFL does _not_ make the cut.
Jack HInderscheid
3:50 pm on Friday, November 4, 2011
Wealthy owners and players has nothing to do with building a Viking stadium. The only thing that counts is will it benefit the State of Minniesota and i believe it will for years to come. Building the stadium will create jobs to build it. after it is built there will jobs to run the stadium and all the surrounding new businesses.. Then new stadium will be used for many other events during the year. This will bring people from all over the United Satates and other country's. The state will collect taxes on all the Viking merchandise and many other things related to the new stadium & Minnesota vikings. This will be long term lasting benefits. Use slot machines to pay for the stadium & that is also a long term benefit. We go to a casino once a week & would love it if Mysitc Lake Casino had some competion. Jack Hinderscheid
Donald Lee
5:02 pm on Friday, November 4, 2011
If building one stadium creates jobs, why not build 10 stadiums, and create 10 times as many jobs? It doesn't work that way.
I'm reminded of a story where an economist was being given a tour of a construction site in the third world. The managers were proud of the fact that they were not using any heavy machinery , and using shovels and hand tools to do the excavating because it "creates many jobs". The economist's question: "Why don't you have them use teaspoons?".
Government cannot create jobs. It can tax some people, and give the money to other people. Every dollar taxed away to build the stadium is a dollar some taxpayer can't spend to do something else. Nothing is "created" by building a stadium. Jobs are simply taken from places that pay the taxes and shifted to those places where the subsidies land. The NFL owners, and the players are the biggest direct beneficiaries. Fans will have a stadium, paid for by the taxpayer.
That's not fair. It's not right. The Vikings' stadium is not a "public good", but a public bailout of a private business. It is not an appropriate use of tax money.
Jack HInderscheid
8:55 pm on Sunday, November 13, 2011
Goverment cannot create jobs:??? The state goverment of Minnesota is replacing a number of bridges and that is creating jobs. Building a new Viking stadium will creat jobs while it is being built and after it is built. We don't need 10 stadiums just one !!!!
Donald Lee
10:23 pm on Sunday, November 13, 2011
That's right. Government can't create jobs. It can shift jobs from one place to another, but every job "created" is paid for by jobs lost elsewhere. The state can hire people, and those jobs are real, but it does so by raising taxes, which raises costs for job creators, who then have less money to expand, invest and hire workers. Economists will tell you that it is a net loss of jobs. The Keynesian "multiplier" is a myth.
Mike D
2:59 pm on Tuesday, November 15, 2011
Why is so hard to pass a Racino bill to fund part of an NFL stadium that Mr. Wilf said he would chip in 400 million of his own dollars for? If you do not want to support the building of a stadium, then don't go to Canterbury or Running Aces.
Mike D
3:02 pm on Tuesday, November 15, 2011
A majority of MN residents support keeping the Vikings and using gambling as a means of funding it. You were elected to represent the people of MN Mr. Hansen, and you can obviously see what they want, especially in a blue collar community such as West St Paul.
KTC
3:19 pm on Tuesday, November 15, 2011
Didn't a similar project just complete not so long ago (new Twins stadium). Did that project create lots of good-paying, long-term jobs? Did it create an economic boom in Hennepin county?
Jack Hinderscheid
3:42 pm on Tuesday, November 15, 2011
I am with you MIke D, There are 18 indian casino's in Minnesota and the state of Minnesota receives ZERO tax dollors from those casino's. There is already gambling at the race tracks. Slot machines at the race tracks will cover the cost of the new stadium plus provide income for the state for years to come. A new stadium will bring in taxes to the state of Minnesota in countless ways. Don't belive this claim that the existing casino's will lose jobs. Gamblers like my wife and I will still go to the Indian casino's and the new ones at the race track. We had a Target Store in West St. Paul and then Walmart came in and Kmart. Did anyone loose their job at Target ? I don't think so. !!!
Duane
8:54 pm on Tuesday, November 15, 2011
those 18 casinos are owned by native american communities. Those same communities contribute very well to the DFL candidates. They have a heavy intrest in keeping that money coming into the DFL coffers and voting for gaming is a sure way to cut off the flow of $$$. Its that simple. of course they will call this insight niave. They will use many other tactics to keep from voting this in and make it happen. I would hope they would just admit there greed.
Jack Hinderscheid
7:52 pm on Wednesday, November 16, 2011
Duane you are probably right however Republican Representative Kurt Zellers seems to be doing his best to kill any effort toward building a new stadium.
Del Gerdes
6:27 pm on Wednesday, November 16, 2011
If a stadium is to be built, I think it should be in a central location like downtown Mpls or StP. Museums, other sports venues, the history center etc all benefit from a central location for customer travel reasons. The road, bridges, LRT, parking, and other infrastructure are already there and there is no contamination to clean up. I don't buy the argument that the Metrodome can't be fixed up reasonably--adding executive boxes and the like. I think we need to get away from the mindset of the biggest and the best for stadiums and probably many other things since we can't afford them now. A tax on gambling is very regressive. For customers going to the stadium, a central location saves many miles, gallons, and dollars. I realize the Wilfs prefer Arden Hills but what is best for their customers? A central location with a much lower cost facility. I am a Vikings fan but the multimillion dollar owners and athletes are a real turnoff.
Jack Hinderscheid
8:15 pm on Wednesday, November 16, 2011
Del gerdes , you make many good points. The owners have made it clear they are not going to play in the Metrodome fixed up or not.so that idea is out. A tax on gambling is regressive ? Don't understand that statement. Slot machines at the race tracks would pay for a new stadium and give the State of Minnesota income for years to come. I can't see anything regressive about that. Athlestes in the NFL are playing in a very violent sport and as far as I am concerned earn every dime they are paid. Just look at the injury list in the Monday sport section. In the news tonight they went thru all the cities that are loosing millions because the NBA is not playing. . I can't even imagine the revenue lost by the State of Minneosta if the Vikings leave.