Reps. Simon, Winkler Hear First Round of Vikings Stadium Talk

It’s become an annual tradition at the Capitol — Minnesota Vikings stadium talk. And last week, St. Louis Park Reps. Steve Simon and Ryan Winkler were there to kick off this year’s chatter.

The two are both on the House Government Operations and Elections Committee, which on Wednesday welcomed in Ted Mondale, the new chair of the Metropolitan Sports Facilities Commission, which operates the aging Metrodome. The group began to discuss possible replacement options, but no formal action was taken.

Simon said he would have a “healthy skepticism” toward any Vikings stadium bill, noting that he will listen to proposals but he doesn’t want the state to get on the hook for a big piece of funding, especially in light of the current budget situation. If anything, Simon said he would be more supportive of a plan similar to what the Twins baseball team used to get a new stadium recently. In that plan, the state didn’t provide any funding, but they did authorize a new Hennepin County sales tax to help pay for the ballpark.

The representative added that he felt that the Twins’ push for a new stadium was stronger than the Vikings’ because he felt the Twins truly played second fiddle at the Metrodome. Simon said the Vikings controlled much of the stadium’s operations, including luxury boxes.

Ultimately, Simon said he doesn’t think the Vikings are in “do or die time” as the team claims, despite the fact that its Metrodome lease ends after this upcoming season. Simon said the team could potentially renew a lease on a short-term basis, adding that he doesn’t want the Legislature to be hurried into passing a bill.

Still, he said he does foresee a stadium bill making a push this year, although he said he couldn’t say what it will look like.

“This is just the beginning of stadium talk,” Simon said.

Governor presents unique bonding bill

Also last week, Gov. Mark Dayton presented a somewhat unique bonding bill.

The governor’s proposal calls for roughly $1 billion in statewide construction projects. However, Dayton only specifically spelled out about half of them, leaving the other half of the bill open for legislators to jockey over.

Simon called the proposal a “generous gesture” and added that he would be looking at securing funding for the Southwest Light Rail Transitway — which would run through St. Louis Park — as part of the open part of the bill.

However, the representative said he doesn’t think it’s likely the Republican-controlled Legislature will go along with the plan, or even look at a bonding bill at all.

“I think it’s unlikely the House or Senate will take up a bonding bill this session,” he said.

Traditionally, the Legislature tackles bonding bills in even years, so if no bonding plan goes forward in 2011, Simon said he would look to secure light rail funding in 2012.

Sen. Ron Latz (DFL-District 44), who represents St. Louis Park, said putting forward a bonding bill right now is actually the fiscally responsible decision, despite criticism from Republicans that call a bonding bill irresponsible given the state's looming $6.2 billion deficit.

“It’s one of the best things government can do to help the economy,” he said, noting that the bill would focus on projects that will create jobs and renovate infrastructure. “When you can buy cheap and borrow cheap, that’s the best time to borrow.”

Here’s what’s happened this past week with other bills authored or co-authored by your legislators:

Sen. Ron Latz:

• Proposed a bill that would establish the Minnesota school of science, technology, engineering and mathematics as a public, residential high school. SF0231 was introduced Feb. 3 and referred to the Education Committee.

Here’s how your representatives voted this past week on key proposals before the Minnesota Legislature:

• HF0130—NO: Latz (PASSED: A bill to cut $1 billion off the deficit. The bill is in conference committee to resolve differences between the House and Senate versions of the bill.)

• HF0130—NO: Simon
• HF0130—NO: Winkler