Field of Schemes: Tallying up the Vikings' pillage

September 22, 2005

Tallying up the Vikings' pillage

The St. Paul Pioneer Press provides some clarification on the latest Minnesota Vikings stadium proposal: It would cost a total of $790 million, $510 million of which would be paid for by taxpayers ($280 million from an Anoka County sales-tax surcharge, $115 million in kickbacks of existing sales taxes, and $115 million in state cash). As expected, state legislators aren't exactly thrilled about being stuck with a large share of the tab - the Twins, you'll recall, were smart enough to leave the state treasury out of their proposal - with house speaker Steve Sviggum saying, "My initial reaction is that's a lot of money. Does that mean I've got to go to Worthington and say 'Guys, the reason you're not getting Highway 60 is because of stadium issues'?" Sviggum said he'll oppose including the Vikings in any special session to discuss new stadiums for the Twins and University of Minnesota - something that's growing unlikely in any case.

COMMENTS

the assault on the minnesota treasury gears up for its 12th year. college football, baseball, and pro football are all looking for new stadiums at public expense. local media are in their pocket; but strong resistance from the teachers unions and a progressive state senator have stymied them. they will never stop. their bluffs to move were called long ago. thanks for keeping us informed. local media has a history of outright lies on the issue.
Posted by: ken at September 26, 2005 03:16 PM