Mar 20, 2006 7:12 pm US/Central
Lawmakers Discuss Feasibility Of Stadium Proposals
Rochester, Minn. (AP) ―
As the state Legislature considers multiple stadium proposals, former Minnesota politician Tim Penny shared his views on why the state is tied up in stadium debates.
"It gets back to what Hubert Humphrey told us in the state Legislature 30 years ago: We don't want to be a cold Omaha," Penny told a crowd at Mayo High School on Saturday.
Penny, a former U.S. representative from Minnesota and one-time Independence Party candidate for governor, called the repeated requests of the state Legislature for new sports stadiums a result of "distorted economics." He said he felt "lukewarm" toward stadiums.
The Legislature is currently mulling over proposals for a $248 million Gopher football stadium, a $444 million Twins stadium and a $675 million Vikings stadium.
Legislative leaders see the Gophers and Twins stadium proposals as having the best chance at passing. Some think all three could go through.
"My prediction -- and don't take it to the bank -- but my prediction is Twins and Gophers and possibly Vikings," said state Rep. Randy Demmer, R-Hayfield, Minn.
Penny wasn't quite so optimistic. He said the Vikings' proposal price tag is "just too big a bite to chew."
He guesses a Gophers stadium would face a "troubled path."
"This is a facility that will have very little utilization and an awful lot of expense," he said.
Penny said a Twins stadium has the best chance for passage.
The Twins are seeking a 0.15 percent increase in Hennepin County's sales tax to offset the stadium's cost.
(© 2006 The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.)
