April 25, 2006
Twins bill heads to House floor
The Minnesota Twins stadium bill cleared another legislative hurdle yesterday, as the state house ways and means committee approved it on an 18-16 vote. The Pioneer Press reports that the vote was only this close because some Hennepin County legislators, afraid of retribution from constituents, deferred their votes until it was clear the bill would pass, then voted "no."
The bill, which would allow Hennepin County to raise $373 million for the stadium via a 0.15% sales-tax hike without going through a (normally required) voter referendum, now goes to the floor for a full vote tomorrow or Thursday. If it's approved, it then goes to the state senate, where it's expected to face less opposition.
