There's a lot that still needs to be done in order for the Minnesota Vikings to receive their new stadium. Unfortunately, every time there appears to be a couple steps forward there are an equal number of steps back that halts any hope for a proposal to be passed all the way through and out of the courtroom. The latest hang up in negotiations has Governor Dayton and Democrats questioning the GOP and the Vikings about their latest tactics:
On Tuesday, May 1, they proposed a plan that would cap the state's contribution to infrastructure costs only and leave the rest up to the team.
It's a radical change in direction after weeks of hearings - and the expectation of floor votes in the House and Senate - on a bill that would fund a $975 million project with nearly $400 million in state money derived from taxing new forms of charitable gaming.
"After eight months of bipartisan negotiations," said Bob Hume, communications director for Gov. Mark Dayton, "They are in fantasyland if they think this is going to be taken seriously by anyone."
Dayton's concerned with secret negotiations between the Republicans of the House and the Vikings, which supposedly centered around the idea of a roofless stadium that would be funded by tax dollars. Dayton has been by the team's side throughout this process, so losing his trust and support could ultimately be a devastating blow for the Vikings' hopes for a new stadium in Minnesota.
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