With barely two weeks to go in the 2010 legislative session, state lawmakers are taking up what could be the most closely scrutinized issue of the year — a new stadium for the Minnesota Vikings.
A Capitol press conference is scheduled for this morning, where a bipartisan group of legislators will unveil a bill that is expected to provide the framework for the team to work out a deal with Minneapolis or possibly another metro-area city. It is not expected, however, to say how much taxpayer money — if any — would be used and where the new field would be located.
The 2010 session ends May 17, and leaders in the DFL-controlled House and Senate have said they want to balance what once was a $1.2 billion deficit before taking up other matters. Gov. Tim Pawlenty has said a stadium bill is unlikely, but possible.
Final votes on budget bills are planned for this week, clearing the decks to move a stadium bill through both houses. Any bill introduced this late in the session would need special approval to move forward, and one as complex as a stadium bill would need to pass through several committees before reaching a final vote.
Sen. Tom Bakk, DFL-Cook, a bill sponsor, has said both are possible. Unknown is whether the bill could garner support from Pawlenty.
The team's lease expires after the 2011 season, and Vikings officials have said they won't sign an extension without a deal for a new stadium in place. Also looming is a potential lockout, which could make convincing voters and lawmakers to support a stadium bill more difficult.
The Metropolitan Sports Facilities Commission, the Vikings' landlord at the Metrodome, has proposed an $870 million, retractable-roof stadium at the Metrodome site. The bill to be unveiled today is expected to include an option for that site, as well as provide a way for the team to negotiate with local cities and counties to put together a financing deal.
The latter option opens up the possibility that cities would jostle one other for the right to call themselves the home of the Vikings.
Lawmakers expected to join Bakk at the press conference include state Sen. Julie Rosen, R-Fairmont, and state Reps. Loren Solberg, DFL-Grand Rapids, and Morrie Lanning, R-Moorhead.
