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State Representative Joyce Peppin
100 Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd.
651-296-7806
For more information contact: Austin Bleess 651-296-5529
NEWS COLUMN
NEW TWINS BALLPARK SALES TAX? NOT WITHOUT A REFERENDUM
By Joyce Peppin
State Representative, District 32A
Legislation for a new baseball stadium has been discussed at the State Capitol for more than a decade. Thus, it was sort of a milestone recently when the Minnesota House of Representatives voted on and passed a Twins stadium bill on a 76 to 55 vote after one of the longest floor sessions this year.
I voted against the bill.
I voted against the bill because it’s unfair to Hennepin County taxpayers. It is they who have to pick up the majority of the costs for what is being described as a statewide asset. But more importantly, voters here should have the right to vote in a referendum to determine if they want to increase the local sales tax for the stadium proposal.
Under the $522 million stadium plan, there would be a 0.15 percent county-wide sales tax increase. The sales tax is projected to raise about $382 million while the Twins would contribute $130 million. Remember, too, the tax would be used to pay off millions more in interest costs to pay off the bonds that would be used to pay for the construction.
Back in March 1999, then-St. Paul Mayor Norm Coleman pledged to do what he could to build a Twins stadium in St. Paul. Throughout that summer, he led an effort to collect signatures on a petition drive in support of a referendum to raise the city sales tax by ½ cent. In October, Twins owner Carl Pohlad reached a tentative deal to sell the ball club to a group headed by Glen Taylor (owner of the Timberwolves) contingent on the referendum passing. Later, a stadium deal was reached. The state, St. Paul and the Twins would each contribute roughly one-third of the ballpark's cost.
But in November, St. Paul voters rejected the half-cent sales tax by a 58 to 42 percent margin.
Perhaps that’s why the Twins are so hesitant to go to the voters in Hennepin County. Although Mayor Coleman may have started his efforts too late to persuade enough St. Paul residents to back his plan, give him credit for going to the voters. I wish the Hennepin County board and Twins officials would have spent less time at the legislature and more time trying to persuade county taxpayers of the worth of their proposal. Then put it to a vote.
In most communities where there is a local option sales tax, a referendum was held prior to the city going to the State Capitol for legislative approval. As much as I like the Twins, it’s not right to stick Hennepin County taxpayers with the bill without asking them first. As this writing, the Senate was working on an alternative Twins stadium bill. I may have the opportunity again to vote on stadium bill, but I will not support a ballpark plan that targets Hennepin County taxpayers without giving them a voice through a referendum.
Rep. Peppin represents District 32A, which includes the communities of Corcoran, Dayton, Greenfield, Hanover, Rogers, Hassan Township, and southwestern Maple Grove. Peppin invites anyone to share their questions or comments about state government with her. She may be reached by email at rep.joyce.peppin@house.mn; by phone at (651) 296-7806; or by U.S. Mail at 411 State Office Building, St. Paul, MN 55155.
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