Politics & Government

Updated: Rep. Mike Beard's Support Not Enough as House Committee Defeats Vikings Stadium Bill

Vikings Defensive End Brian Robison: "The fans of Minnesota deserve to have their team. Arden Hills or Shakopee? Let's get it done!!"

If a “Hail Mary” pass may be about the only chance the Minnesota Vikings have left to get a stadium bill passed this session, some are saying bring it back to Shakopee.

After the House Government Operations and Elections Committee failed to approve a bill Monday night that calls for funding a new stadium for the NFL team, Gov. Mark Dayton said in a Pioneer Press story, "if Minneapolis doesn't want it, then someone else, Arden Hills or some other site in Minnesota."

He also added, "We've got to get a stadium next year or the Vikings will leave."

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The social media world was buzzing as fans and even players took to Twitter to voice their opinions on the stalled bill.

M.S.M. ‏ tweeted, "No Vikings stadium yet, politicians are fools! It's harder and harder to find one worth voting for Dem or Rep."

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Scotty tweeted: "I think it's funny that the Vikings want to leave MN cuz we won't buy them a stadium. What a bunch of babies. Win a Superbowl first."

Vikings Defensive End Brian Robison tweeted: "... the fans of Minnesota deserve to have their team. Arden hills or Shakopee? Let's get it done!!

Ryan Schwartz tweeted: "Looking back, I have to give @MayorTabke credit for putting forth an idea of a Vikings stadium in Shakopee and keeping the team in MN."

Nick Fritzen tweeted: "Is Shakopee back in this now for the Vikings stadium? Is it time to move on from Mpls?"

Shakopee resident of SaveTheVikes.org was busy all day Tuesday encouraging fans to act as he made the rounds on the media circuit and continuously posted on Twitter and his website. "Huddle up and email your lawmakers," he wrote on his website.

Merrifield also tweeted this on Tuesday: "Fact @MayorTabke and I exchanged texts this morning. He is very interested in taking another run at bringing the #Vikings to Shakopee."

When asked on Twitter about the Shakopee bid coming back into play, Shakopee Mayor Brad Tabke replied only with, "No comment at this time."

The Monday vote was 9-6 with five DFLers and four Republicans, voting against the plan. Five Republicans, including Rep. , and one DFLer voted for the bill.

Sponsored by Rep. Morrie Lanning (R-Moorhead), HF2810 calls a for a $975 million fixed-roof stadium to be built on the Metrodome site.

The team would cover $427 million of construction costs; the state $398 million; and Minneapolis $150 million.

The team has played in the downtown Minneapolis stadium since 1982, but team officials say the facility is antiquated and does not provide the needed revenue to remain competitive, nor does it offer a top-notch fan experience.

Money from electronic pull tabs, electronic bingo and tipboard games would be used to pay the state’s share of the cost.

“Somebody will have to pull a rabbit out of a hat for this thing to stay alive,” Lanning said.

After the vote, Lester Bagley, the team’s vice president of public affairs and stadium development, was clearly frustrated, saying the team has done everything it’s been asked, and after more than a decade of trying there still hasn’t been a vote on the House floor.

“This sends a strong message to the Vikings and the NFL,” he said.

Before each voted against the bill, Rep. David Hancock (R-Bemidji) expressed concern about expanding gambling in the state, while Rep. Bev Scalze (DFL-Little Canada) noted the proposed gaming revenue going into the General Fund would better be spent paying off some of the $2.4 billion the state owes K-12 education.   

Committee Chairwoman Rep. Joyce Peppin (R-Rogers), who voted “no,” successfully amended the bill to require that Minneapolis voters have a say in their city’s plan to spend $150 million for the stadium. The city charter states no more than $10 million can go toward a sports facility without voter approval. The bill would invalidate that provision.

A companion, SF2391, sponsored by Sen. Julie Rosen (R-Fairmont), awaits action by the Senate Local Government and Elections Committee.

In January, Tabke and a small group , a plan which garnered a frenzy of attention. However, shortly afterward, Minneapolis emerged again as the favored site.

- Written by Lisa Baumann and Mike Cook of the Session Daily, courtesy of the House of Representatives Public Information Services.

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