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State Representative Paul Anderson
100 Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd.
651-296-4317
For more information contact: House GOP Communications 651-296-5520
LEGISLATIVE UPDATE
News from Representative Anderson - Vikings Update
After a week of surprises and periods of calm, Monday has been set for the day we vote on the Vikings' stadium bill here in the House. A fellow representative planning on introducing an amendment during floor debate noted that his was marked "number 88" so it could be a long day, and possibly evening, of debate.
The last-minute plan announced earlier this week to pay for the state's share of infrastructure costs by issuing general obligation bonds received a "thumbs-down" from the Office of Management and Budget. There were too many technicalities to overcome in order to make that plan workable. So, with time running out on this session, attention has been re-focused on the original plan carried by Rep. Morrie Lanning, R-Moorhead, that would fund the state's portion of stadium costs with revenue from electronic pull tabs.
Concern has been raised about these pull tabs generating sufficient revenue. We were told by those working with the bonds that even if revenue was one-half of what was projected, it would be enough to service the debt. In addition to providing a funding source for the stadium, another part of the over-all pull tab agreement provides tax relief for the charities who operate them. Differences remain between the House and Senate versions of the bill as to how that tax relief is calculated so that would need to be worked out during conference committee.
The House will take up the bill first, and if it passes, which is no sure thing, the bill would then be sent to the Senate. If it passes there, my guess is that it would take one day for the conference committee to work out differences. So it appears that Wednesday would be the day that it could be re-passed and sent to the Governor.
Judging from the number of e-mails and other correspondence I've received lately, the eyes of Minnesota will be squarely focused here on the Capitol next week. The result will be close, one that will require votes from both sides of the aisle to pass.
Sincerely,
Paul
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