2012 DRAFT GUIDE

Minn. Senate eyes user fees for Vikings stadium

By BRIAN BAKST - Associated Press
2012-05-08 22:30

ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) - The Minnesota Senate pushed more Vikings stadium financing costs in the direction of the team and fans Tuesday as supporters grasped for extra votes to keep the proposal alive.

Ahead of a critical vote on the nearly $1 billion facility, senators revamped a longstanding stadium plan to impose a collection of user fees while also increasing the upfront private contribution by $25 million.

Passage by the Senate would set up final negotiations and precede a new round of votes by the Legislature. The House approved a bill Monday that requires the team to kick in $532 million toward the stadium - $105 million above what a franchise official previously called a ``set in stone'' ceiling.

It was clear stadium supporters wanted to turn to offense rather than defense as the bill reached the Senate. It was Sen. Julie Rosen, the stadium bill sponsor, who promoted user fees on suites, parking and Vikings merchandise. Another backer pushed for the higher team contribution, and that amendment was approved unanimously.

The user fee amendment - adopted on a 40-26 vote - would levy a 10 percent fee on suites and on parking within a half-mile of the stadium, and impose a 6.875 percent fee on Vikings clothing, trading cards and other memorabilia.

Throughout a debate that stretched from early afternoon past nightfall, there were plenty of close calls. Senators twice approved amendments they overturned later. One would have imposed a more aggressive slate of user fees that could cut into Vikings profits and a second would have subjected portions of the bill to a potential Minneapolis voter referendum.

Sen. Dave Thompson, R-Lakeville, said the deal to date has been negotiated by people too willing to please the team.

``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,'' said Thompson, the leader of the conservative faction within the Senate GOP caucus. ``But I guess time will tell.''

Earlier Tuesday, a Vikings executive warned state lawmakers against making major changes to the financing proposal, saying they risked losing the team's support for the deal. Vice President Lester Bagley criticized changes made by the House when it passed the bill Monday, particularly a provision that shifted more cost from the state to the team.

``People who are opposed to this are going to do all they can to muck this up,'' Bagley said in an interview on ESPN 1500 radio, speaking generally about amendments added to the bill.

Bagley pointed to a bill for a new Twins ballpark that cleared the Legislature in 2002, only to fall apart later. It took the team another four years to win legislative support for a workable bill.

Bagley didn't immediately return a call from The Associated Press.

Though the Vikings have misgivings about the changes the House made to the bill, its approval Monday marked the team's first victory in its years-long quest for a new stadium. Bagley called it ``the first hurdle'' in a process.

Bagley said the team's owners aren't prepared to shell out $105 million more beyond a prior $427 million private commitment toward construction of the stadium. Under a plan negotiated last winter by the governor, key lawmakers, the Minneapolis mayor and the team, the state would pay $398 million, with the money coming from an expansion of gambling. The city of Minneapolis would kick in $150 million by redirecting an existing hospitality tax.

But lawmakers will have the final say on how big a taxpayer subsidy is provided.

The Vikings are no longer under a Metrodome lease, leaving some to worry they could bolt if they don't have a new stadium after next season.

``We don't want the Vikings to leave,'' said Sen. Geoff Michel, R-Edina. ``We want to take the wheels off this franchise and keep them for our children and grandchildren. I don't want to cheer for the Green Bay Packers. I don't want to cheer for the Chicago Bears. We need an NFL franchise in Minnesota. This is the bill. This is the day.''

Opponents weren't buying the threat of team flight.

``I want to know where the Vikings are going if they leave,'' said Democratic Sen. Barb Goodwin of Columbia Heights.

She added, ``I think we're scaring a lot of people for no good reason.''

---

Associated Press writer Martiga Lohn contributed to this report.

FOOTBALL HEADLINES

PAUR REPORT

RealTime Fantasy Sports Mailbag

PLAYER NOTES

Dwayne HarrisMay 23 10:14a

Dallas Cowboys WR Dwayne Harris is considered the front-runner for the No. 3 wide receiver job behind WRs Miles Austin and Dez Bryant, and it is believed WR Terrance [ More ]

Andy DaltonMay 23 10:04a

Cincinnati Bengals QB Andy Dalton has, during organized team activities, been focusing on improving the trajectory and accuracy of his throws while working with quarterbacks coach Ken Zampese. Dalton [ More ]

Louis MurphyMay 23 10:03a

New York Giants WR Rueben Randle is listed as the No. 3 receiver on the depth chart over WR Louis Murphy.

Jerrel JerniganMay 23 09:54a

New York Giants WR Jerrel Jernigan has shown progress as Victor Cruz remains absent from OTAs. WR Hakeem Nicks said his teammate has been adjusting well to the slot [ More ]

Thaddeus LewisMay 23 09:23a

The Cleveland Browns signed free-agent WR Tori Gurley (Ravens) and waived QB Thaddeus Lewis.

Johnny JollyMay 23 08:22a

Green Bay Packers DE Johnny Jolly is expected to return to the team next week and begin participating in OTAs after completing a court-ordered drug treatment program.

Aaron CurryMay 22 11:53p

New York Giants LB Aaron Curry admitted that the money he earned as a high draft pick changed him and he lost his motivation, ultimately leading to his trade [ More ]

Dan ConnorMay 22 11:53p

New York Giants LBs Mark Herzlich, Spencer Paysinger and Keith Rivers were the starting linebackers during organized team activities (OTAs) Wednesday, May 22, with LBs Dan Connor, Aaron Curry [ More ]

Chris SneeMay 22 11:53p

New York Giants C David Baas (undisclosed), OG Chris Snee (hip), CB Terrell Thomas (knee) and LB Jacquian Williams (knee) did not take part in team drills during organized [ More ]

Jason FoxMay 22 11:53p

Detroit Lions OT Jason Fox served as the first-team right tackle, and OT Riley Reiff worked as the first-team left tackle, Wednesday, May 22, during organized team activities (OTAs).

Chris GreenwoodMay 22 11:53p

Detroit Lions CB Chris Greenwood (abdominal) was able to practice Wednesday, May 22, during organized team activities (OTAs). He missed last season due to an abdominal injury.

Reggie BushMay 22 11:53p

Detroit Lions RB Reggie Bush was used as a punt returner during organized team activities (OTAs) Wednesday, May 22. WR Terrence Austin, WR Patrick Edwards, RB Steven Miller, WR [ More ]

Nate BurlesonMay 22 11:53p

Updating a previous report, Detroit Lions WR Nate Burleson (leg) showed quickness during organized team activities (OTAs) Wednesday, May 22. He has also lost weight, dropping from 198 to 192 pounds to add speed.

Dylan GandyMay 22 11:53p

Detroit Lions C Dylan Gandy saw first-team reps during organized team activities (OTAs) Wednesday, May 22. He has a chance to replace the departed OL Stephen Peterman (Jets), but [ More ]

Hakeem NicksMay 22 10:13p

New York Giants WR Hakeem Nicks did not show up to practice Wednesday, May 22, because he is unhappy with his contract situation, a source indicated. Nicks did not [ More ]

Justin TuckMay 22 10:13p

New York Giants DE Justin Tuck, a free agent at season's end, said Wednesday, May 22, that he wasn't thinking about his future with the team, or how he [ More ]

Randy MossMay 22 08:33p

San Francisco 49ers head coach Jim Harbaugh said the team isn't considering re-signing WR Randy Moss after learning that WR Michael Crabtree (Achilles') tore his Achilles' Wednesday, May 22. [ More ]

Charles WoodsonMay 22 08:13p

Oakland Raiders CB Charles Woodson (collarbone) said he expects to play the same safety role he moved to with the Green Bay Packers late in his career. Also, he [ More ]

Michael VickMay 22 07:23p

Philadelphia Eagles QB Michael Vick, who held onto the ball for an average of 3.07 seconds last year, will likely have to change in order to be successful in [ More ]

Mark SanchezMay 22 06:13p

New York Jets head coach Rex Ryan said he was disappointed with QB Mark Sanchez after he threw three interceptions during organized team activities Wednesday, May 22. 'Yeah, it [ More ]

Michael CrabtreeMay 22 05:53p

San Francisco 49ers head coach Jim Harbaugh said he does not think WR Michael Crabtree (Achilles') will miss the entire 2013 regular season.

Tim TebowMay 22 05:43p

Ron Jaworski, part owner of the Philadelphia Soul of the Arena Football League, said he is serious about his interest in signing free-agent QB Tim Tebow (Jets) to his [ More ]

Brandon GibsonMay 22 05:13p

Miami Dolphins WR Brandon Gibson lined up as the slot receiver when the team used three-receiver sets during organized team activities Tuesday, May 21.

Rokevious WatkinsMay 22 05:13p

St. Louis Rams OG Rokevious Watkins has been suspended for the first game of the 2013 season for violating the NFL's policy for substances of abuse.

Brent GrimesMay 22 05:03p

Miami Dolphins WR Brian Hartline, WR Brandon Gibson and CB Brent Grimes worked as punt returners during organized team activities Tuesday, May 21. Head coach Joe Philbin did not [ More ]

Aaron WilliamsMay 22 04:33p

Buffalo Bills defensive coordinator Mike Pettine said FS Aaron Williams has done well in his transition from cornerback to safety. 'He's doing a nice job, and that's a difficult [ More ]

Michael CrabtreeMay 22 04:13p

Updating previous reports, San Francisco 49ers WR Michael Crabtree (Achilles') has undergone surgery to repair his torn Achilles' tendon.

Michael CrabtreeMay 22 04:13p

Updating a previous report, doctors believe San Francisco 49ers WR Michael Crabtree (Achilles') will miss six months because of his torn Achilles' tendon. Doctors have recommended that Crabtree undergo surgery as soon as possible.

Jameel McClainMay 22 03:53p

Baltimore Ravens LB Jameel McClain (spine) and CB Lardarius Webb (knee) were limited to individual drills during organized team activities Wednesday, May 22.

Jeremy EbertMay 22 03:53p

The Jacksonville Jaguars have signed free-agent WR Jeremy Ebert (Patriots). Terms of the contract were not disclosed. In a corresponding move, the team waived DT Jeris Pendleton.

Stephen HillMay 22 03:43p

New York Jets head coach Rex Ryan said WR Stephen Hill (knee) did not participate in organized team activities Wednesday, May 22, because of swelling in his knee.

Mark SanchezMay 22 03:33p

New York Jets QBs Mark Sanchez and Geno Smith both struggled during organized team activities Wednesday, May 22, with Sanchez completing only six of his 11 passes, including three [ More ]

RSS Feeds

NFL News:

Player Notes:

Forum Posts:

Email Us · Call Us 636.447.1170 · Lost Password

Advertising represented by USA Today Sports Media Group