Garofalo, other lawmakers say address Vikings stadium in 2012 session
Farmington legislator says racino could be a funding source
by T.W. Budig
ECM Capitol reporter
Opinions differ among lawmakers in the ECM coverage area in regard to the proposed special legislative stadium session, but a few themes recently emerged.
In general, the lawmakers are not keen on Gov. Mark Dayton’s idea of calling a special session in November to address the Vikings’ stadium.
House K-12 Finance Committee Chairman Pat Garofalo, R-Farmington, views the state budget as taking priority over stadiums and indicated the latter could wait to be addressed until lawmakers return to the State Capitol in January.
“I think we can walk and chew gum at the same time,” he said of legislators handling both issues.
Special sessions are for emergencies, like floods or tornadoes, said Rep. Bob Dettmer, R-Forest Lake.
A Vikings’ stadium is no emergency, he said.
Several lawmakers insisted that to discuss a stadium there has be a proposal on the table.
“That’s just asking for a disaster,” said Rep. Tim Sanders, R-Blaine, of going into a special session with three, four, five stadium proposals floating through the State Capitol.
In general area lawmakers indicated a willingness to listen to stadium proposals and funding it.
Garofalo looks to gambling as a possible source of state funding for a stadium.
“I think racino is the best way to go,” he said. “It would be so good for rural Minnesota.”
One of the racinos would be located at Canterbury Park in Shakopee, which draws many workers and visitors from the south metro area.
Dettmer, speaking on the proposed Vikings/Ramsey County Arden Hills’ stadium proposal, believes Ramsey County voters should be allowed to vote on a proposed county-wide sales tax increase.
Although speaking of his unwillingness to raise taxes in order to fund a stadium, Dettmer drew a distinction between user fees — such a sales tax on sports memorabilia — and other taxes.
User fees could be “something more palatable,” he said.
He indicated that the Twins’ ballpark funding model — a model that includes a county-wide sales tax increase — could serve as a model for a new Vikings’ stadium.
House Tax Committee Chairman Greg Davids, R-Preston does not view a referendum as necessary if local officials are willing to increase taxes.
“The state doesn’t have $300 million sitting around in a slush fund for use for anything,” said Rep. Mary Kiffmeyer, R-Big Lake, referring to the amount of state contribution the various stadium proposals anticipate.
The National Football League is big business, Kiffmeyer argued, questioning whether the state should get involved at all in a private business.
“By the way, we’re talking about millionaires and billionaires here,” she said of the big money people involved in the NFL.
Kiffmeyer views Vikings’ owner Zygi Wilf as not yet putting up enough of his own money for a new stadium.
As for proposed local tax increases, Kiffmeyer wants voter referendums included in any legislative package.
Rep. Peggy Scott, R-Andover is uncomfortable with the idea of the state spending millions of dollars to assist private business.
“If we start doing that, where does it stop?” she asked.
T.W. Budig is at tim.budig@ecm-inc.com.
the special session is needed because you politcal morons have put off the stadium issue for the last decade. come the end of decemebr the lease is up, the vikings will not extend it without a new stadium bill in place. You law makers just want to stall it out even longer to kill the issue for another 10 years. Kiffmeyer, you are fine with saying zigi isn’t giving enough money, so what is enough money, he has increased his controbution twice this year, and you just spout the same line, that is not negoations, it is refusal. Do you guys understand how much tax revenue a year will come from a one billion dollar faciluty. You guys can’t have it both ways, you want the vikings, you have to maintain the team every once in a while, the dome is a wreck. and everyone knows it. you buy a new car, you will have to do maintaince to keep it at peek condition. You want the team to flourish, a new stadium does that. More revune for team means a better team can be built. a chance for minnesota to host a SUPER BOWL! and keeping a piece of the annual 9 billion dollar pie. You want one stadium bill, the vikings support only one, arden hills, it is you puppet politicans that are crying about the sites, you waitied and know you cry they left you behind. DO you really want to see how angry the people will be if you let the vikings go to minnesota. You can kiss your political careers goodbye, and FWI, the local county commision voted that they would not vote on a new tax yes or no because it wouldn’t be on a ballot untill fall 2012, at which time the vikings would be gone and you just wasted more money, mral is, BUILD IT OR WATCH THE VIKINGS LEAVE! your choice and it will impact a lot of jobs and people, remeber that!