Minnesota governor Mark Dayton signs Minnesota Vikings stadium bill into law - NFL News
Minnesota Vikings have got what they have asked for as Minnesota governor, Mark Dayton on Monday signed the new Vikings stadium bill into law at the State Capitol building.
This was the culmination of decades of lobbying by Vikings owners, Mark and Zygi Wilf who had asked for a government subsidy to meet the cost of the $ 975 million stadium.
Dayton signed the bill amid renditions by the assembled Vikings supporters and construction workers of the team’s fight song “Skol Vikings”.
The bill calls for the Vikings to provide $ 477 million privately while the state and city council will provide $ 348 million and $ 150 million respectively.
According to the final draft of the bill the state will fund its contribution through an increase in gambling while the city council will divert funds from an already in place hospitality tax towards the construction costs.
Opponents of the bill though are not impressed with the passing of the bill with one provision in the final text of the law leading to great criticism from lawmakers.
The provision allows the Vikings to hide all its financial information from being released for the general public.
Lawmaker, Mary Liz Holberg said about the provision according to ESPN.com.
"We now have the largest public commitment in the state's history in an agreement with the Vikings, and we have an unprecedented lack of disclosure,"
Adding further she said.
"I just think that sunshine in government is good, and in exchange for nearly half a billion dollars in public commitment, there should be some sunshine on the other side of the ledger."
However, governor, Mark Dayton argues that a committee headed by the state government will monitor the finances of the franchise and will provide protection for the public interest.
Dayton said.
"The authority should have the right to make sure that they have the financial wherewithal, but where their financing comes from really is, you know, their business,"
The new stadium is expected to be completed by 2016.
Minnesota Vikings will play the upcoming 2012-13 season at the Metrodome and will move to the University of Minnesota’s TCF Bank stadium for at least two seasons.
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