BARRETT INTRODUCES WORKABLE, RESPONSIBLE SOLUTION TO FUND VIKINGS STADIUM
St. Paul – State Representative Bob Barrett, R-Lindstrom, today called on Gov. Dayton to fix his mistakes and protect hardworking taxpayers from being used as the primary funding source for the new Vikings stadium. In 2012 Gov. Dayton promised to build a stadium without tax dollars, but with dismal e-pull tab revenue—95 percent short of projection—hundreds of millions of General Fund dollars are being used.
“The public demands a responsible solution. After e-pull tabs failed miserably, Gov. Dayton refused to protect taxpayers, instead choosing to protect New Jersey owners Zygi and Mark Wilf,” Barrett said. “I once again ask Gov. Dayton to work with me to do the right thing and put Minnesota taxpayers ahead of New Jersey billionaires.”
Under Barrett’s plan, personal seat license and naming rights revenue would become transparent so that taxpayer funding can be reduced by $248 million, and “the right thing can be done,” Barrett said.
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CURRENT CONTRIBUTIONS TO VIKINGS STADIUM
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City of Minneapolis
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$150
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million
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State of Minnesota
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$348
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million
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Vikings
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$477
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million
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TOTAL:
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$975
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million
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CONTRIBUTIONS UNDER REP. BARRETT'S BILL
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City of Minneapolis
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$150
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million
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State of Minnesota
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$100
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million
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Vikings (guaranteed)
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$200
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million
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TOTAL:
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$450
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million
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The remaining $525 million would be paid for in the following manner:
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NFL loan/gift
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$200
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million
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Naming rights
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$150
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million
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Personal seat licenses (PSLs)
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$175
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million
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TOTAL:
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$525
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million
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“Gov. Dayton didn’t fix the farm repair tax and warehouse tax during special session because he thought that fixing an error made at the expense of Minnesota taxpayers could wait until next year,” Barrett said. “By that same logic, fixing the errors made in the stadium negotiations also needs to happen next spring in order to protect Minnesota from paying hundreds of millions in unnecessary taxes. Given the price tag of the stadium, there is not a larger un-session subject to discuss next spring.”
—30—
Rep. Barrett can be reached by phone at (651) 296-5377. He can also be contacted via e-mail at rep.bob.barrett@house.mn, or via U.S. Mail at 287 State Office Building, St. Paul, MN 55155.