Vikings' owner Zygi Wilf seems to be really annoying the Minnesota government, which just endured a complete shutdown and is still hammering out the details of its new budget. The Vikings lease at the Metrodome runs out this year, and after that epic roof collapse in a December snowstorm, they need another stadium, pronto.
New Minnesota Vikings Stadium Takes A Backseat To Budget Negotiations
Wilf, like every other greedy owner in sports, has gotten the majority of the funding for his new park, a planned retractable-roof stadium, from public tax dollars. Y’know, because $650 million couldn’t have been better spent elsewhere.
Wilf spoke with (Minnesota Gov. Mark) Dayton on Friday, telling him in a phone conversation that the team wants a stadium bill to be considered in a special legislative session expected to begin next week, according to Vikings vice president for stadium affairs Lester Bagley
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A spokeswoman for Dayton said, "The governor is focused on negotiating the final details of the budget at this point."
As they say on the streets of Minneapolis: Oh, snap. Good for Dayton. As much as the Vikings likely need a new stadium, the budget should take priority, just like in D.C.
According to the story, Wilf and the Vikings have pledged more than $400 million to the project, which also calls for a half-cent sales tax in Ramsey County that would contribute another $350 million and $300 million in state money.
Considering how hard conservatives have fought raising taxes during the debt crisis at both state and federal levels, it’s nice to know that the only time they’ll vote to raise taxes, I presume, is for football. Priorities, people.
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