UPDATED: Metzen, Jobs Committee Advance Vikings Stadium

Updated Tuesday, April 23 1:51 p.m.: The Senate jobs and economic development committee advanced the most recent Vikings stadium proposal without recommendation Tuesday afternoon. 

The committee took a voice vote, meaning who voted what was not recorded.

 Sen. Jim Metzen (D-South St. Paul) is the ranking minority member on the committee. 

Hours of testimony and questions delved into whether the stadium will boost the economy and provide good jobs. 

Metzen successfully offered an amendment to provide more debt forgiveness for the RiverCentre and Xcel Center in St. Paul. The amendment was explained by St. Paul Mayor Chris Coleman and Sen. Dick Cohen (D-St. Paul) as a matter of equity that will keep the metro region healthy as a whole.

"We've got to get this bill passed," said Metzen. "This amendment, in my opinion, will get us to the end zone."

Rosen opposed the amendment, and said it was asking for too much and would impact the state's general fund. 

The amended stadium bill will now be heard in the finance committee on Wednesday. A House companion awaits a floor vote.

Original: The reinvigorated Vikings stadium bill will be heard in the Senate jobs and economic development committee Tuesday morning.

Sen. Jim Metzen (D-South St. Paul) sits on the committee that will hear the proposal sponsored by Sen. Julie Rosen (R-Fairmount). 

Committee testimony will likely focus on the economic impact of building a stadium and the potential for job creation.

The bill would fund a new stadium at the site of the Metrodome in part through authorization of electronic pulltabs and bingo in the state.

Language is also included to require the stadium to be made available at-cost 10 days a year for amateur sports, and free for seven days of the year to the Minnesota State High School League.

Legislation has hit rough waters time and again this Legislative session. The bill was advanced without recommendation in its last Senate committee hearing.