Field of Schemes
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January 31, 2012

Minnesota pushing e-pulltabs for Vikings; local governments still unsure of funding

For those of you who aren't sick to death of hearing the latest Minnesota Vikings non-plans, here's today's updates:

  • The Minnesota state legislature has definitely settled on electronic pulltabs as the means of funding its share of stadium costs. The bill's main sponsor, Rep. Morrie Lanning, says the measure could raise $72 million a year, which would be more than enough to pay off the state's $300 million share; it's not clear whether anyone has looked at whether e-pulltabs would cannibalize other existing state gambling revenue, but hopefully somebody will before this thing is actually voted on.
  • Ramsey County is working on yet another financing plan for its share of a stadium, after sales tax and food and beverage tax hikes were rejected by the state government. No hint yet what the new plan will be, but the legislature is willing to give them more time to think of something, especially since it's not like Minneapolis has figured out what it's doing, either. County commissioner Tony Bennett hopes to have a funding plan ready by next week, but it's always a bad idea to go holding your breath in these situations.

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