St. Paul – Rep. Bob Barrett, R-Lindstrom, commented on today’s groundbreaking of the new Vikings stadium. He has taken a stand for taxpayers and exposed the flawed legislation since it was first debated in the Legislature, arguing that taxpayers would ultimately foot the bill for the billion dollar stadium unless tough decisions were made. With e-pull tab revenue now rightly seen as a colossal mistake and falling 100 percent short of projections, Barrett’s warning calls have come true again and again. The Dayton Administration’s failed funding scheme and broken promises to taxpayers have made the hole that was dug today a symbol of government dysfunction.
Barrett said: “Today should be a day of celebration. But instead, as the shovel hits the dirt, the hole left in the ground is a metaphor for a failed funding scheme that continues a pattern of Gov. Dayton putting team owners, who are in the ‘top 1% of the top 1%’ of wealthy Americans, ahead of Minnesota taxpayers. Because of this, we can look forward to paying 30 years of multi-million dollar stadium mortgage payments even though Gov. Dayton promised that wouldn’t happen. It didn’t have to be this way.”
Over the last two years, Barrett has offered alternative funding solutions to fix Gov. Dayton’s mistakes and protect taxpayers. He explained that original stadium funding legislation required backup funding sources to include non-personal seat license contributions from stadium high-rollers who purchase luxury boxes and suites. He said this funding source should have kicked in prior to forcing new taxes on Minnesota families. Barrett vows to correct this mistake next legislative session and to continue to stand up for Minnesota taxpayers.
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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.