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May 12, 2006
MN committee favors Twins; residents say pox on both houses
Minnesota tea-leaf readers are saying that the Twins look to be the better chance to get a new stadium bill passed, after the state house shut out Vikings stadium backers from the conference committee that will meet with the state senate to attempt to reconcile competing stadium bills. The bigger question seems to be whether conferees will be able to come up with anything that will pass both halves of the legislature - whether or not to hold a public referendum remains a sticking point - and do it by May 22, when the session comes to an end.
A new poll of Minnesotans, meanwhile, finds voters making their opinion clear, with residents both backing a referendum on any sales-tax hikes and opposing any public stadium funding by a more than 2-1 margin. If asked to choose between the senate and house stadium subsidies, though, they backed the senate version - which would raise sales taxes by more across a broader area, include money for the Twins, Vikings, and transit improvements, and require a referendum. Guess which of these results senate majority leader Dean Johnson chose to focus on?
It is about time we pass a bill to have a stadium built for the MN Twins. The current bill imposes no tax on property, income, food or clothing to ANYONE. It taxes, at a rate of ZERO point one five percent (yes, the first number is a 0 and the second number is a 1) non food and clothing purchases in Hennepin County only, which is the county that will receive the most benefit of the stadium. A referendum on any tax would be defeated by the voters because people don't like to pay taxes. I know that I don't. However, the Twins are a tremendous community asset and their current stadium arrangement does not provide the revenues to allow them to remain viable long term. The bill that passed the House and is supported by the Governor deserves passage this session.
Posted by Dick Adams on May 13, 2006 10:59 AM
In exactly what way do you mean that the Twins are a community asset? Given that a baseball team has the same economic impact as a department store, how are the Twins an economic asset other than by making people feel good that there's a baseball team in their city?
And what kind of benefit do you see the stadium generating for Hennepin county? That isn't already happening as a result of the existing stadium in Hennepin County?
Posted by David on May 14, 2006 11:22 AM
I don't know if I'm more sick of the rich people looking for handouts from me, or the gullible starstruck nature of our elected officials. In any case, I'm one of those who believes there are more important things to deal with in life than entertaining myself. I enjoy pro football but not to the extent of some of my peers. Dealing with them is like dealing with a spoiled 7 year old who cries and whines when he doesn't get his way. Look, it's the entertainment industry, not education, not medical research, not bio engineering, it's very low priority when it comes to life itself. There's other forms of entertainment besides pro sports that don't impose on the rest of us.
Posted by Arty on May 14, 2006 12:13 PM
The Twins stadium bill that passed the MN House is a travesty. The team pays only 25% of the ballpark costs. After the team sells the naming rights and seat licenses, they will recoup their contribution before the first pitch is thrown. Meanwhile the taxpayers are on the hook for 75% of the ballpark costs and all cost overruns for site improvements and infrastructure. Stadium supporters can say whatever they want but this is bad deal for the taxpayers. If Carl "The Crybaby" Pohlad offered to pay 50% of all the costs, I just might vote for it. Oh I forgot, I live in Minnesota and the taxpayers won't even get a chance to vote on the proposal. Who would vote for something this bad? Not me!
Posted by Jim on May 14, 2006 01:57 PM
Darn straight Jim! These owners know that if it comes to a referendum they won't get their corporate welfare. Carl and Zygi are no better than common panhandlers to me. Bums, just bums with money. That's all they are. If it was REALLY such a good deal, I'd get all my rich friends together and buy the stadium myself. The problem is that it's the entertainment industry and it's fickle. One season you're up, the next your down and there's no guarantee you'll get up again. It's a rotten deal for taxpayers. If they build it, I won't go!
Posted by William on May 14, 2006 06:38 PM