Minn. gov.: No plan to redo Vikings stadium plan

By BRIAN BAKST - Associated Press
    2012-12-06 14:36

ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) - Gov. Mark Dayton on Thursday downplayed the sluggish start of a statewide gambling initiative being counted on to help fund the new Minnesota Vikings stadium, saying doesn't plan to redo the financing package during the upcoming legislative session.

Dayton told reporters the early revenue projections are worth watching but shouldn't cause alarm about the merits of the electronic terminals that are only starting to appear in bars and restaurants. Relatively few establishments now offer the iPad-style machines that patrons to play low-stakes games, but the availability has as much to do with vendors working to clear regulatory hurdles.

The bill to finance a $975 million stadium that will be built in downtown Minneapolis won approval last spring. The legislation authorized electronic pull-tab and linked bingo games, making Minnesota the first state to permit that form of gambling statewide.

The novelty of the games and the challenges of constructing a new gambling system from the ground up take time, Dayton said in arguing against revisiting the financing plan next year.

``I certainly wouldn't favor it unless it becomes absolutely necessary and I don't think it is at this point,'' Dayton said.

Republican state Sen. Julie Rosen, who sponsored the stadium plan, also warned against jumping to early conclusions. She said she favors a public relations campaign to market the games to the public before dwelling on whether an alternative money source is needed.

``It's too early to do anything to correct it,'' Rosen said. ``Let the entire program work like it should.''

Since September, one company has been cleared to provide terminals but others are in the pipeline. Others potential vendors have background checks pending or are hanging back to see how robust the Minnesota market is.

That's meant the proceeds flowing to a special account don't come close to the benchmarks established when the bill was approved. The projected tax revenue had been $34 million, but this week state finance officials trimmed it to $16 million. Expected revenue for future years has also been scaled back a bit.

The state is depending on the expanded gambling to pay off debt from its $348 million share. The city of Minneapolis and Vikings owners are coming up with the rest. Aside from the stadium, a portion of the new gambling money goes to the charitable organizations that sponsor the games in bars and restaurants.

The governor plans to meet next week with his revenue commissioner and the top gambling regulator to determine future steps.

The Vikings hope to break ground next year after environmental reviews are complete. If all goes as planned, the stadium would be ready for the 2016 season.

Fantasy Football Player Notes RSS FeedPLAYER NOTES

Lamar MillerMay 22 11:25a

Miami Dolphins RB Lamar Miller worked predominantly with the first-team offense, but RBs Daniel Thomas, Mike Gillislee and Marcus Thigpen also saw carries Tuesday, May 21, in organized team activities (OTAs).

Brian UrlacherMay 22 11:23a

Free-agent MLB Brian Urlacher (Bears) retired after 13 seasons.

DeMarco MurrayMay 22 11:12a

The Dallas Cowboys are taking a cautious approach with RB DeMarco Murray (hamstring) as he deals with a slight hamstring tweak, according to head coach Jason Garrett.

Manti Te'oMay 22 11:10a

San Diego Chargers LB Manti Te'o has been looking good during the team's organized team activities this week, but the team hasn't been in pads yet. Te'o displayed good [ More ]

Ryan TannehillMay 22 11:06a

Miami Dolphins QB Ryan Tannehill was sharp during organized team activities Tuesday, May 21. Tannehill had big passes to WRs Brian Hartline and Mike Wallace. TE Dustin Keller was [ More ]

Antonio JohnsonMay 22 10:53a

The Tennessee Titans signed DT Antonio Johnson to a one-year deal worth $850,000. He has an $800,000 base salary and a $50,000 roster bonus.

Wes WelkerMay 22 10:44a

Denver Broncos WR Wes Welker knows that with WRs Demaryius Thomas and Eric Decker in the picture on his new team, he won't be averaging 112 catches in 2013 [ More ]

Christine MichaelMay 22 10:44a

Seattle Seahawks RB Christine Michael (hamstring) and CB Tharold Simon (foot) were limited in organized team activities Monday, May 20. RB Robert Turbin had the chance to take first-team [ More ]

Fendi OnobunMay 22 09:43a

The Chicago Bears' depth chart at tight end after TE Martellus Bennett is wide open. TE Fendi Onobun could seize an opportunity for playing time.

T.J. YatesMay 22 08:43a

Houston Texans head coach Gary Kubiak said QB Case Keenum could unseat QB T.J. Yates for the backup quarterback spot.

Mario FanninMay 22 08:33a

The Denver Broncos waived RB Mario Fannin and placed S Blake Gideon on the reserve-retired list.

Darrelle RevisMay 21 11:53p

Tampa Bay Buccaneers CB Darrelle Revis (knee) has been cleared to cut and change directions. 'I feel very confident,' Revis said Tuesday, May 21.

Michael EgnewMay 21 11:53p

Miami Dolphins TE Michael Egnew began team drills in organized team activities (OTAs) Tuesday, May 21, ahead of TE Dustin Keller. Head coach Joe Philbin said Egnew earned the reps after a strong offseason.

Charles WoodsonMay 21 11:53p

The Oakland Raiders agreed to terms with free-agent CB Charles Woodson (Packers) on a one-year, $1.8 million contract Tuesday, May 21.

Nate GarnerMay 21 11:53p

Miami Dolphins OG Nate Garner rotated in at left guard and center during organized team activities (OTAs) Tuesday, May 21. He was the team's backup right tackle last season.

M. BernadeauMay 21 09:13p

Dallas Cowboys OG David Arkin and OL Ronald Leary split time at right guard during organized team activities (OTAs) Tuesday, May 21, with OG Mackenzy Bernadeau (shoulder) still recovering from offseason shoulder surgery.

Will AllenMay 21 09:13p

Dallas Cowboys SS Will Allen rotated with FS Matt Johnson Tuesday, May 21, during organized team activities (OTAs), working opposite SS Barry Church.

Aldon SmithMay 21 09:13p

San Francisco 49ers LB Aldon Smith (shoulder) is still recovering from labrum surgery during the offseason. He has been doing a 'little bit' of work at the start of organized team activities (OTAs).

Morris ClaiborneMay 21 09:13p

Dallas Cowboys CB Morris Claiborne has bulked up from 185 pounds to 193 pounds during the offseason. He said Tuesday, May 21, that he is getting used to the [ More ]

Jason GarrettMay 21 09:13p

Dallas Cowboys team owner and general manager said Tuesday, May 21, that head coach Jason Garrett is 'not coaching for his job this year.'

Doug FreeMay 21 09:13p

Dallas Cowboys OTs Doug Free and Jermey Parnell split time at right tackle during the first day of organized team activities (OTAs) Tuesday, May 21.

Anquan BoldinMay 21 09:13p

San Francisco 49ers QB Colin Kaepernick and WRs A.J. Jenkins and Ricardo Lockette lived together for two months in Atlanta during the offseason, working together at a nearby training [ More ]

DeMarcus WareMay 21 09:03p

Dallas Cowboys DT Jay Ratliff and DE DeMarcus Ware did not participate in team drills Tuesday, May 21, during the first day of organized team activities (OTAs).

Bruce AriansMay 21 08:03p

Arizona Cardinals head coach Bruce Arians was disappointed with his team during organized team activities Tuesday, May 21, and he singled out several players for making mental mistakes two [ More ]

Max StarksMay 21 06:33p

San Diego Chargers OT Max Starks, who was signed to an undisclosed one-year deal Tuesday, May 21, is likely to become the team's starting left guard this year. Starks [ More ]

Tony RomoMay 21 05:53p

Dallas Cowboys QB Tony Romo (back) said he didn't know about the cyst on his back when he signed a six-year, $108 million extension in March. Romo said he [ More ]

Max StarksMay 21 05:43p

The San Diego Chargers signed OT Max Starks (Steelers) Tuesday, May 21. Terms of the deal were not disclosed.

Dez BryantMay 21 05:03p

Dallas Cowboys WR Dez Bryant said he found himself, and that has led to a quiet offseason with no off-field issues. 'I found myself,' Bryant said Tuesday after the [ More ]

Jeff KingMay 21 04:43p

Arizona Cardinals TE Jeff King (knee) underwent knee surgery early in the offseason. The coaching staff hopes King can return to practice in early June.

Jordan CameronMay 21 04:13p

The Cleveland Browns really like TE Jordan Cameron as their starting tight end and have been targeting him a lot in organized team activities.

Jerel WorthyMay 21 03:53p

Green Bay Packers DT Jerel Worthy (knee) said he is going to play again at some point in 2013 after tearing his anterior cruciate ligament in Week 17.

Mike GoodsonMay 21 03:13p

New York Jets RB Mike Goodson will plead not guilty to all charges, with the most serious being a second-degree unlawful possession of a firearm. If convicted, Goodson would [ More ]

RSS Feeds

NFL News:
 
Player Notes:
 
Forum Posts:
 

© 2013 RealTime Fantasy Sports, Inc.
Email Us  ·  Call Us 636.447.1170  ·  Lost Password
Advertising represented by USA Today Sports Media Group