There are a lot of new stadiums popping up around the country. There are three new stadiums opening up in New York just this year. Of course they are financed by the taxpayers of that area.We all know the economy isn't in the best of shape. And sports teams are looking for a new stadium or arena. The Sacramento Kings might move their team to the fairgrounds in Sacramento because private developers will pay for the project. Sounds good.
All I know people are starting to get tired of paying for new stadiums that they cannot even enjoy because the ticket prices are too high. Well in Minnesota they have a different plan to pay for a new stadium for the Vikings. Have casino revenue pay for the new stadium.
With that logic, Rep. Tom Hackbarth, R-Cedar, introduced a bill today that would open the door to a new casino in the metro area that would pay for a new stadium for the Minnesota Vikings.
The bill would place a constitutional amendment on the 2010 general election ballot that would allow the state to issue a 30-year license to operate a casino somewhere in the Twin Cities metro area.
The revenue the state receives from the casino would be used to finance construction of a new stadium. The Vikings aren't specifically named in the bill, but the team is the only one in the state without a new stadium under construction.
Even as state officials are grappling with massive economic problems, team officials have continued to lobby aggressively for a state subsidy that would partly finance a $954 million stadium. Most legislators have said attempt to move a stadium bill this year would likely be politically explosive -- and likely to fail.
I hope this bill doesn't fail. Taxpayers shouldn't have to pay for new stadiums. Billionaire owners can afford to pay for their new stadiums. Even if they can't or don't want to, they should find alternative ways to pay for their new homes. This casino bill is risky, but I would take the risk. And if the Vikings move, you can always play blackjack in the casino.
Gambling to finance a stadium for the Vikings? (Minnesota Star Tribune)
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ReplyDeleteAs a Vikings fan I hope anything that keeps them in Minnesota passes. It seems like a casino would have no problem generating enough revenue to finance a stadium. But realistically I don't see this passing anytime soon.
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