Minnesota should put plans for a new Vikings stadium on hold until it can figure out a better way to pay for it, some state lawmakers say.I agree, but it's too late for that now. The agreement's been made and if the state tries to change the terms now, we'll be looking at multiple lawsuits that will only add to the overall bill.
Electronic pulltabs were supposed to fund the state's $384 million share of the new football stadium. But in their first year, e-pulltabs pulled in a dismal $1.7 million -- well below the $35 million a year needed -- forcing the state to scramble for alternative revenue sources, like electronic bingo games.
Instead of scrambling, state Sen. Sean Nienow says, Minnesota should slow down, put the entire stadium venture on hold, and figure out a secure way of paying for a new home for the Vikings.
The bill that Nienow and Rep. Mary Franson are proposing would delay the bond sale until the state figures out its financing. There's no chance that the bill will ever see the light of day, but I suspect that's not the point as much as it is to again shine a light on the performance of Gov. Dayton and the others who were responsible for this deal. While that's always a useful exercise, there's no reason to get our hopes up.
6 comments:
I'm attempting to get Sen. Nienow on the radio show Sunday. He was one of the sane GOP voices last year in conveying opposition to the stadium. I believe he referred to the e-pull tab projections as "Fu Fu dust" or something.
It would be great if you could get him on, Brad. He's right and I wish more people had listened to him last year.
Be sure to ask the senator if he found it amusing that everytime he walked into a room during the "debate" everyone put their hands over their ears and started chanting, "Na na na na, can't hear you!"
Mitch beat me to it. Sen. Nienow will be on the NARN tomorrow at 2:15.
Is there a legally binding contract here? It would be worth the money to pay a couple of good lawyers to see if there really is one......my take is that the law passed plus Governor Messinger's agreement is not as legally binding as, say, a mortgage document.
Is there a legally binding contract here?
My understanding is yes, BB. But I may research that matter when I have a little time, because it's crucial.
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