D-Day Monday for new Minnesota Vikings stadium as lawmakers will vote on original bill
It is now or never for the Minnesota Vikings bid for a new $ 975 million home.
The lawmakers in the State Capitol have decided to vote on the original bill backed by Governor, Mark Dayton, and approved by four state house committees on Monday.
Republicans had earlier proposed an entirely new funding plan for the stadium which called for a reduction in the cost paid by the state from the originally proposed $ 400 million and called for generating the funds from State bonds which are used to fund other construction projects.
However, the new bill would have required a supermajority in the House to pass and faced stiff criticism from both the Governor and Minnesota Vikings officials who were angered by what they saw as the Republicans stalling on approving the stadium.
The bill which will go to vote on Monday asks the State to provide $ 400 million for the new stadium which will be generated through an expansion of gambling with the rest of the cost to be provided by the Vikings and the city council.
With a final vote on the bill looming, governor, Mark Dayton, has asked the public to pressure their legislatures to vote positively on the bill.
Speaking to the media, Dayton said.
"I will continue to do all I can to convince them this is a good deal for Minnesota, the best deal available, and much better than the alternative,"
68 votes in the House and 34 votes in the Senate will see the bill pass but the result is too close to call with Republicans in control of the majority in both Houses and most of them are not too happy with the proposed bill.
The Vikings point man for stadium negotiations, Lester Bagley urged fans to ask their lawmakers to vote yes on the measure.
"Now's the time to pour it on and let legislators know this has to get done,"
This is the culmination of years of lobbying by the franchise for a new home. The Vikings lease of their current home of the Metrodome has expired and even though they are bound to play the upcoming season there it is unlikely that without a new stadium the franchise will remain in the state.
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