Senate debates public subsidy for new Minnesota Vikings stadium - NFL News
The approval for a public subsidy for a new Minnesota Vikings stadium in Minneapolis picked up steam on Tuesday, as state Senate lawmakers debated on the newly approved bill that had been passed from the House.
Debates over the approval of public subsidy for the $ 975 million stadium continue as supporters of the stadium clamour to gain votes in favour of the proposal.
The House committee on Monday approved a changed bill as they increased the amount to be paid by the franchise by $ 105 million while reducing the state’s contribution.
Minnesota Vikings said that the development was good but, the increase in contribution for the franchise was unworkable and will be negotiated with the lawmakers.
The state Senate on Tuesday, proposed more amendments themselves as it increased the Vikings contribution by $ 25 million, while also placing usage fees on fans which includes taxes on the purchase of Vikings merchandise, parking fees and, stadium suite fees.
This amended proposal will be put to a vote before approval and if it is given the go-ahead by the Senate, a final bill will be approved after negotiation between the House lawmakers and Senate to reach a compromise between the $ 80 million difference in their proposed increases of the Vikings contributions.
Senator Dave Thompson said about the bill.
"When stadium proponents are putting things on that make the deal less appealing to the Vikings, you wonder if it's been put on just for the purpose of attracting votes and then getting pulled out in conference committee but I guess time will tell."
The original plan called for the franchise to commit $ 427 million as their contribution with the rest being shared between the state and the city council.
However, the amendments to the bill increase the Vikings private contribution and that factor has angered the franchise’s vice president, Lester Bagley.
"People who are opposed to this are going to do all they can to muck this up," he said.
A vote on the bill is likely to take place soon as the final debates over the bill continue.
The Vikings will not be too happy with the proposed amendments and if an agreement cannot be reached the franchise might just decide to move out of the state altogether.
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