Politics & Government

Beard Backs Bill to Slash State Share of Vikes' Tab

Rep. Mike Beard is one of a host of GOP legislators that has put forward a measure to cut the state's contribution to the Vikings new stadium by half.

GOPers Move to Gut Vikings Stadium Deal

Rep. Mike Beard (R) has thrown support to a bill that would reduce the state's financial commitment to the Vikings' new stadium. Beard and fellow south metro legislator Rep. Pat Garofalo (R-Farmington) are listed as co-authors on the bill, known as H.F. 1753. The bill was introduced on April 10. If approved, the state's contribution would be slashed by over 50 percent—from $348 million to $148 million.

A Littler Legislature?

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Rep. Will Morgan (DFL-Burnsville, Lakeville) seems to have taken a page from the GOP playbook: On April 17, he debuted a bill that would reduce the size of the state legislature, H.F. 1786. If approved, the legislature would shrink by 54 seats total, from 201 to 147. The senate would be reduced from 67 seats to 49, the house from 134 to 98.

Morgan is not the only one calling for a smaller legislature. Garofalo is the author of an earlier bill, H.F. 1524, which would cut the legislature much more drastically, dropping the number of legislators from 201 to 75 for terms beginning Jan. 1, 2023.

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"Minnesota is the 21st most populous state, yet has the 9th largest legislature," Garofalo said. "This bill would right-size our legislature compared to the rest of the nation, saving taxpayers millions of dollars annually in salary, staff, and legislative expenses for years to come."

At least one other state, Pennsyvlania, is considering such cuts, largely at Republicans' behest.

Giving Cities More Enforcement Muscle 

Rep. Sandra Masin (DFL-Eagan, Burnsville) has introduced a bill that would give certain cities the ability to collect civil penalties and fees through special assessments, rather than using the court system to enforce financial penalties associated with ordinance violations. In the wake of lengthy enforcement battles with property code violators like Country Village Apartments, Burnsville is one such city that has lobbied for measures like H.F. 1766

Sen. Jim Carlson (DFL-Eagan, Burnsville) is the sponsor in the senate. 


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