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05/10/2012
By a 71-60 vote, the Minnesota House of Representatives has approved legislation that would help construct a new stadium in Minneapolis for the Minnesota Vikings. State Representative Bob Gunther
(R-Fairmont) supported the measure.
“This isn’t a perfect bill, but few stadium bills are,” Gunther said. “Is Minnesota better having the Vikings franchise here or are we better off seeing them leave? I was happy to vote to keep the team here, because without them, we’d be nothing more than a cold Omaha.”
Gunther said the proposal that arrived on the House floor called for a
$975 million stadium. Of that amount, the Vikings have pledged $477 million, while Minneapolis would add $150 million and the state would have chipped in $348 million through funds expected to be generated through electronic pulltabs.
“Having listened to the debate on the House floor, I’m confident the funding mechanism will work and will safely pay for the stadium without using any general fund dollars,” Gunther said. “The Minnesota Vikings are part of our heritage, and this legislation will keep the team here for future generations.”
The Vikings stadium bill was approved by the Minnesota Senate on a 36-30 vote and has been sent to Governor Dayton for his signature.
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ROD HALVORSEN
© 2010 KSUM.
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