Stadium bill gaining steam as Dayton, Republicans meet
The stadium bill could be back on track. WCCO is reporting that Gov. Dayton met privately with GOP leaders Thursday morning. He says they're ready to work together to get a formal proposal on the table. A stadium would likely be funded through new gambling revenue. Dayton says he'll call a special session if the House and Senate can agree on a plan.
But GOP house leader Kurt Zellers tells WCCO's Pat Kessler that he still wants to hold off on a stadium bill until the regular session next year.
The news comes just a day after the governor scrapped plans to call a special session. Vikings Vice President Lester Bagley warned that putting a bill off until the regular session would leave the team operating without a lease and raise costs.
The governor and legislators on Wednesday announced there was not enough support to raise sales taxes without a public vote. Many stadium backers have said such a referendum would likely doom the stadium.