 |
| A sign outside the Metrodome proudly proclaims that this is Vikings country. But will it be, even with the bill passing? (Photo from Creative Commons) |
Monday was an intense day for Vikings fans and today is no different. The bill passed by a significant majority in both the House (73-58) and in Senate (38-28), so it should be a guarantee that this stadium will be built soon. But will it really?
The Senate made a handful of changes that the team's management are very unhappy with. The most contested amendments are budgeting - for a nearly $1 billion stadium, it's bound to come up. The Senate decided the team should pay an additional $25 million at least, making them pay more than half of the total cost of the new stadium and $105 million than they'd originally proposed. The team had originally wanted most of the funding to come from tax money, whereas the Senate added an amendment that there would be user fees, that is, the fans attending games would be paying. The bill is going back to be looked over by a conference committee.
There have been some hints that the team would move if they don't have a new stadium, but most senators view this as an empty threat to try to get the bill passed, but as the debate continues we'll get to see.
No comments:
Post a Comment