Minn. House revives Vikings stadium bill

Stadium concept
The Minnesota Vikings released this concept of a new stadium in downtown Minneapolis, April, 2, 2012. This illustration show non-game day activity and the proposed Winter Garden light rail train station.
Courtesy of the Minnesota Vikings

By PATRICK CONDON
Associated Press

ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) — A Minnesota House committee has revived the Vikings stadium subsidy as the proposal moves closer to votes by the full House and Senate.

The House Ways and Means Committee advanced the $975 million, downtown Minneapolis stadium bill on Monday night. Its next stop is likely to be a vote by the full House.

A companion to the House bill is moving in the Senate. The Rules Committee kept it alive in that chamber Monday.

Even though the bill is still alive at the Legislature it continues to draw significant opposition from state lawmakers from both parties. In the House hearing, a number of lawmakers expressed concern that tax revenue from an expansion of gambling might not cover the cost of stadium bonds as promised.