ST. PAUL - The Senate author of the Minnesota Vikings' stadium bill remains optimistic that the Legislature can find a way to finance a stadium even though time is running out on the session and the proposal has not had a single committee hearing.
Sen. Julie Rosen, R-Fairmont, said legislators are discussing the proposal, and she said there is a good chance the bill will start receiving committee hearings in the coming days.
"There is a lot of work going on behind the scenes," she said. "I'm very optimistic."
Bills by Rosen and Rep. Morrie Lanning, R-Moorhead, would use taxes on sports memorabilia and allow local governments to raise taxes to help support a new stadium. Team owners would be required to pay at least a third of a stadium cost, although Gov. Mark Dayton has said he would like the Vikings to pay more than that. The Legislature faces a May 23 adjournment date, with much of the time needed to finish writing a state budget.
The Vikings want a stadium plan approved because their Metrodome lease expires after next season and they will not renew it.
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Andrew Tellijohn is a Twin Cities freelance writer.
