Minnesota Vikings Stadium: First Stadium Bill Introduced To Legislature

by Christopher Gates on Feb 22, 2012 6:30 PM CST in Minnesota Vikings Stadium

And, according to WCCO-TV political reporter Pat Kessler, it's for. . .the Arden Hills site?

First #Vikings stadium bill introduced at #mnleg: It's in Arden Hills. bit.ly/w4dvVT
— Patrick Kessler (@PatKessler) February 22, 2012

Well, can honestly say I didn't see that coming. I just assumed that the only bill that would actually be introduced would be the final one for the site adjacent to the Metrodome that we've been hearing a lot about over the past few days. But we've gotten something for Arden Hills in first.

Apparently this particular stadium proposal is funded by electronic pull tabs and bingo, among other things. If you'd like to read the entire bill. . .you know, if you have about eight hours to kill and/or a significant case of insomnia. . .you can find it all right here.

I don't expect this one to have a whole lot of chance of really getting anywhere, but I do find it kind of strange that a site that I, personally, thought was dead in the water is getting the first crack at the legislature.

(Hat tip to the Minnesota Vikings Fan Page for putting this out there on the Twitter first.)

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Wow. 56 pages

Rep. Rod Hamilton, R majority whip from Mt. Lake.

Not Lanning…

Curiouser and Curiouser…

But no companion Bill in the Senate. We’ll see.

by Lars in SLP on Feb 22, 2012 6:42 PM CST via mobile reply actions

That would kick the crap

out of having to play at Gopher Stadium for a year or whatever. But whatever gets this done will be good. What Lars up above said will likely be the kicker.

Build up your weaknesses until they become your strong points." --Knute Rockne

by abba7 on Feb 22, 2012 6:47 PM CST reply actions

someone please

break down for me how Ramsey came up with the funds. I don’t feel like reading 56 pages

when asked by Dan Patrick if his name alluded to not making quick decisions in the pocket, Ponder calmly replied "As crazy as it sounds, my mom's maiden name is actually Superbowlwinner. All one word"

by filbert33 on Feb 22, 2012 6:52 PM CST reply actions

Bill calls for $10 million yearly from tax increment.

Vikes must pay RC for their adjacent land immediately upon closing with Army.

State to pay $549 million, like $72 mil annually til bonds are paid.

Ramsey County kicks in $10 million annually from tax increment, and presumably wherever else they can scrape it up.

by Lars in SLP on Feb 22, 2012 7:32 PM CST via mobile up reply actions

Minimum Viking contribution $425 million.

by Lars in SLP on Feb 22, 2012 7:33 PM CST via mobile up reply actions

Gotta go watch Idol with the family now.

Can’t wait to se if this does anything but go…. Thud.

by Lars in SLP on Feb 22, 2012 7:34 PM CST via mobile up reply actions

It didnt

by amiller92 on Feb 22, 2012 11:16 PM CST up reply actions

I thought the whole point of all this bargaining was that they didn't want to introduce bills that had no chance

Color me confused.

by Purpledork on Feb 22, 2012 6:55 PM CST reply actions

Not done n conjunction with the team

by amiller92 on Feb 22, 2012 11:17 PM CST up reply actions

Yea...

…any of them can introduce whatever they please.

by GoAUpher on Feb 22, 2012 11:36 PM CST up reply actions

I was confused before

now i’m just baffled.

by muffin man on Feb 22, 2012 7:14 PM CST reply actions

Huh? Who? Where? When? Say........

Now this is just getting Twilight Zone ridiculous!

Gentlemen! You can't fight in here, this is a war room!

by VikesFaninNM on Feb 22, 2012 7:19 PM CST reply actions

What the what?

Hmm…it only gets weirder

Here’s the section on funding:

The team contribution shall be at least $425,000,000, net of financing costs….The county will contribute $10,000,000 annually, as funds are available, to
21.6the stadium project.
21.7© The state shall contribute $549,000,000, net of financing costs, to stadium
21.8construction. The state shall contribute $101,000,000, net of financing costs, for
21.9public infrastructure necessary for stadium development. In no event shall the state’s
21.10contribution, net of financing costs, exceed these amounts.

Those numbers are unlike ANY other proposals I’ve seen. What the heck is this!?!?!?

Ponder. Peterson. Percy. Purple Perfection.

by CCNorsemen on Feb 22, 2012 8:15 PM CST reply actions

SUPER-expensive for the state....not likely to pass

White Horn Gold Pants

by DM_Purp on Feb 23, 2012 9:53 AM CST up reply actions

smoke and mirrors

the state always has maintained that they would only contribute 300 million max along with no taxes for the arden hills area.
now the total for the state is estimated at about 660 million according to this (briefly read through it).
This just gives the politicians the excuse to shoot it down to pass it on to the next session and avoid the issue during an election year without looking like the bad guys.
This is so far out of left field that is stinks of a setup.
personally i really really really really hope this has something going for it. we need a stadium! plus it would be less drama during the season knowing we have a home!

by 600car on Feb 22, 2012 8:22 PM CST reply actions

Don't blame AH for throwing some stuff out there.

They’ve spent enough funds/resources already to just quit.

White Horn Gold Pants

by DM_Purp on Feb 23, 2012 9:54 AM CST up reply actions

This doesn't seem to be them though

Unless there is something we aren’t seeing.

by amiller92 on Feb 23, 2012 10:44 AM CST up reply actions

yeah....while I am one of the anti public fund crowd

I too believe this is a setup. It gives the republicans in the legislature the cover to say they came up with a bill….even though the financials are so distorted that no one will vote for it. Or if the republican legislature does pass it, it will be up to Dayton to either Veto ( in which case the republicans can claim victory) or it will be up to Dayton to approve ( thereby increasing the state debt by about 1/6, thereby allowing the republicans to claim a victory)

by Chris3 on Feb 22, 2012 8:35 PM CST reply actions

awful news

Any bill mot fully vetted by all interested parties damages the likelihood of solidarity on said bill. Dividing attentions across multiple bills is going to destroy any possibility of success.

by Jepp The Viking on Feb 22, 2012 8:48 PM CST via mobile reply actions

WHA WHA WHAAAA?!

This makes no sense at all…

Proud contributor to Daily Norseman and SB Nation Minnesota.
Follow @eric_j_thompson

by Eric J. Thompson on Feb 22, 2012 9:32 PM CST reply actions

There was an article in the PiPress

Basically, he seems to be on his own. No local contribution. Unless something changed drastically, seems to be going nowhere.

by amiller92 on Feb 22, 2012 11:19 PM CST reply actions

Curious there are no co-authors.

I think this may be a bill that is being ‘floated’ to see if it can gather some support or movement.

I wonder if the author is a member of the legislative working group that Lanning and Rosen have been “leading”.

I like the fact it offers a plan with no new taxes— inasmuch as it removes the chief legislative objection that has stymied all previous proposals.

by Lars in SLP on Feb 23, 2012 7:39 AM CST via mobile up reply actions

Nope

Or so said the PiPress.

by amiller92 on Feb 23, 2012 8:15 AM CST up reply actions

Who cares if it makes sense!

Is Santa REALLY coming early to Minnesota?!!?!?
PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE!!!

2011 Vikings, keeping the liquor industry in the green ALL YEAR LONG!

by LeeleeX on Feb 23, 2012 2:01 AM CST reply actions

And coming Thursday, a Senate Bill for Vikes to build it alone!?!?

Is this:

A) dumb
B) stupid
C) all of the above

Yeesh!

by Lars in SLP on Feb 23, 2012 6:45 AM CST via mobile reply actions

ok, not alone, but 80%.

I shot an email to my Senator, a co-author, urging her to consider the HF2422 approach.

As yet I cannot find the new Bill online.

by Lars in SLP on Feb 23, 2012 7:42 AM CST via mobile up reply actions

BIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIINGO!!!!

I would play BINGO every day if it meant a Vikings stadium/park/museum/whatever in Arden Hills. Hell… I might even bus in retirement home occupants and pay for them to play too…

…and I hate bingo.

by Odin'sDrunkenSon on Feb 23, 2012 8:06 AM CST reply actions 2 recs

I've heard

That like for Power Ball and scratch off tickets, etc., people will soon be able to purchase all of this stuff on-line.

Build up your weaknesses until they become your strong points." --Knute Rockne

by abba7 on Feb 23, 2012 8:10 AM CST up reply actions

Any chance Arden Hills is trying to flood the legislative session

therefore trying to “c*ck block Minneapolis” for this session and hopefully give them the summer to figure out a plan that will work. I mean, they already KNOW the Vikings prefer their site and its not even close, but they need to find the financing and given some more time to get create with that.

White Horn Gold Pants

by DM_Purp on Feb 23, 2012 10:15 AM CST reply actions

I don't think so...

The PP article indicates nobody from Ramsey County, the Governor’s office or the Vikings had even been consulted.

I’m guessing the representative just thought this scenario may generate some spontaneous activity. At least it provides something legislators can contemplate.

If it goes nowhere, yet contributes ideas or concepts that wind up in a bill that actually passes, then I have to applaud his initiative.

I hope it grows legs. Either way, it keeps the issue alive for this session (possibly) and demonstrates there is an alternative to downtown Mpls.

by Lars in SLP on Feb 23, 2012 10:33 AM CST via mobile up reply actions

This doesn't seem to be Arden Hills' doing

And I’m not sure it’s clear that the Viking prefer their site. Perhaps in the abstract if you strip away feasibility and funding, but that’s kinda beside the point.

by amiller92 on Feb 23, 2012 10:45 AM CST up reply actions