The county's charter commission is holding the first of two public hearings on whether voters should get to approve a sales tax for the stadium.

The relatively obscure Ramsey County Charter Commission has become a key cog in the Vikings' quest for a stadium in Arden Hills. By giving voice to public opposition to a sales tax to fund the stadium, the charter commission is inserting itself into a high-stakes political power struggle. Some elected leaders might find themselves in the position of stifling a public vote or risk losing the Vikings.

The Ramsey County Charter Commission voted late Tuesday to reject a countywide vote on a proposed half-cent sales tax that would help build a new home for the team. The move went against the wishes of many county residents, but leaders say it would have held up the project and raised its price tag.

Ramsey County Charter Commissioner Peter Hendricks says state law requires voters approve local sales taxes, even though he voted against changing local law to require a referendum. He says if legislators make an exception to that rule it will likely lead to a court battle.

The Ramsey County Charter Commission nixed a proposal to let county residents vote on a proposed sales tax increase that would help pay for a new Vikings stadium. Now a group opposed to the tax say they'll start a petition.

Ramsey County commissioners Tony Bennett and Rafael Ortega have proposed a county-wide three-percent food and beverage tax to help fund a Vikings' stadium in Arden Hills. The tax would raise $24-million/year.

Some Ramsey County residents could see dramatic increases in their property taxes despite the county's plan to cut spending. Hundreds of taxpayers turned out at a hearing to plead with leaders to lessen the tax burden, but many people had equally passionate pleas to preserve public services.

Most Ramsey County residents told the charter commission they want to be able to vote on a plan that would raise their sales taxes to fund a new Vikings stadium. Such a vote could be a big obstacle for stadium supporters.