Public money for a new Vikings stadium? Here’s where the gov candidates stand.
MPR News questioned all 18 of the major party candidates for governor to see whether they supported public funding to help build a new Vikings stadium. You can read the story
soon.
here.
Here's a of where the candidates stand and the audio from my interviews with them. As you can see, some of the candidates are carefully trying not to be boxed in on the issue.
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DFL candidates
Tom Bakk:
SUPPORTS WITH USER FEES
He said an income tax surcharge on player salaries, ticket taxes and merchandise taxes are a few possibilities.
"The question isn't how you pay for it. I think the question is what kind of proposal can you generate support for. I think most people want to keep the Vikings in Minnesota. Is it multiuse? Is it a rehab of the existing Dome? Is Minneapolis the right location?"
Mark Dayton:
NOT CLEAR
"The Vikings and Mr. Wilf do not need Minnesota, They can move to LA to a privately built stadium... If we build a stadium, we'll build it for the people of Minnesota because it's in the best interest in Minnesota."
Matt Entenza:
MAY BE OPEN TO IT
Entenza didn't specify what he would support.
"We're dealing with a very sophisticated property developer and right now he's trying to convince us to do it. Whenever you deal with a property developer, you never take the first deal..." "We have a huge deficit, schools are getting hurt. I don't see a stadium being our top priority."
Susan Gaertner:
OPPOSES NOW
"I'm hoping that there will be some kind of rationale discussion that will focus on meeting the needs of the Vikings and a long-range plan and their economics but is also respectful of the fact that our budget situation is as bad as it gets. We can't do it right now, but can we have discussions in longer range ways."
Steve Kelley:
OPPOSES NOW
"If we can get to a different point in the economy where we have these other issues under control I'm not opposed to it, but right now is not the time."
Margaret Anderson Kelliher:
OPPOSES
"I'm not open to taxpayer financing to the stadium but I'm open to helping." (with infrastructure improvements like roads, etc.)
John Marty:
OPPOSES
"I've been very consistent on the idea that taxpayer money should not be used to subsidize private businesses."
Tom Rukavina:
SUPPORTS WITH USER FEES
"There's a way that we can bring in money on the people who go to the games..." "Minnesotans should understand that we have a lot of Fortune 500 companies because we have pro sports that enhance our quality of life." Rukavina suggested user fees like ticket taxes, etc. He also suggested that the Metropolitan Sports Facilities Commission give the Metrodome to the Vikings to refurbish.
R.T. Rybak:
OPEN TO IT BUT DOESN'T OFFER SPECIFICS
"If we're ever going to build a stadium it would be right now when up to half of the people in the construction trades are out of work. But we have to make sure it's seen as a lower priority than our schools, our transportation and our health care."
Ole Savior:
SUPPORTS
"Go Vikings. I'm the only candidate, Republican or Democrat, saying Vikings, we need a new stadium. We can do it. One fourth for the Vikings. One fourth for the NFL and one half for the Racino/Casino and that they should do it for them."
Paul Thissen:
IS WILLING TO USE TIF TO FUND
He suggested using income derived from development around the site to help pay for the stadium.
"I would love it if they did it on their own but it's a public interest. There's a benefit to all of us for having the team here."
Republican candidates
Pat Anderson:
OPPOSES
"I think it's appropriate to have dialogue and I know that's what has been occurring. But the idea that we're going to spend $200 million in taxpayer money is not realistic and inappropriate. But there are other ways to achieve these goals."
She didn't specify how to pay for the stadium.
Leslie Davis:
OPPOSES
"If they want to build a ballpark, they should build it with their own money."
Tom Emmer:
OPPOSES
"I support a solution for a Vikings stadium but I don't think you give $700 million in taxpayer money and hand it over to a private business."
Emmer suggested a voter referendum linking funds from a new casino to pay for the stadium. He also suggested community ownership (Green Bay Packers model) or giving Wilf the Metrodome.
Bill Haas:
OPPOSES
"They're holding us hostage with that situation..." "If another city comes and says hey, we'll build you a stadium, that's what will happen."
David Hann:
OPPOSES
"I still don't think it's a good idea. It's a mystery to me as to why the team is pushing for public financing when everybody is financially strapped."
Phil Herwig:
OPPOSES
"I, in no way, can support funding a private enterprise. It doesn't matter if it was the Vikings, the Timberwolves or XYZ company..." "Sometime we have to stop this. We can't afford it."
Marty Seifert:
OPPOSES
"Other states have done this so it's not like it's a pie in the sky idea and keep in mind that with the Vikings successful season - they are filling up the dome So people say we can't be competitive in this stadium, really? The team is winning now so what's the issue?"
Seifert suggests the Vikings can rely on the marketplace (higher ticket prices, parking, etc.) and don't need public money.