Minnesota Legislative Session Preview: Bonding, Jobs Bill, Vikings Stadium Likely to Get Attention

The Minnesota Legislature convenes on Tuesday, Jan. 24, and Oakdale’s legislators expect this session to be a quick one focused around a passing a bonding bill, a jobs bill and Vikings stadium legislation.

“This session is really going to be short and quick,” said Rep. Nora Slawik (DFL-Maplewood).

Due to redistricting, which is being considered by a court panel right now, all of the state’s representatives and senators will be up for re-election this fall.

Likely to Meet in the Middle on Bonding

While Gov. Mark Dayton proposed $775 million in bonding projects, Republican leaders have said they’re going to propose a smaller bill.

Sen. Chuck Wiger (DFL-Maplewood) who sits on the Senate Capital Investment Committee, said he expects the final dollar amount will land somewhere in the middle.

That means that the local projects recommended for funding by Gov. Mark Dayton—the Oakdale Veterans Memorial and the Tubman Center East—could end up being cut from the final bill.

Slawik said she’s very optimistic that the Tubman Center funding—to be used for renovations for the building—will come through, however she said she’s more cautiously optimistic about the veterans memorial.

“We have to prove the statewide significance,” she said.

Wiger said the $30,000 for the Oakdale memorial project has a “reasonably good” chance of getting funding.

“It might not seem like a lot of money,” he said, “but this can make a difference in making this project a reality.”

Another important project for the area that was recommended by the governor, Wiger said, is $5 million for the addition of six classrooms and renovations at Century College.

Vikings Stadium Site Still Undecided

Oakdale’s legislators said they’re not sure whether the Legislature will ultimately vote on a Vikings stadium bill this year, but Wiger said he’s hopeful.

A Vikings stadium has been discussed for years, he said, and he would like to “get it overwith” and move on.

At this point, Wiger said, the Arden Hills site is his preference, because it provides more opportunity for development than the other sites. He’s still opposed to having general tax revenue go toward the project, he said.

He previously thought the Metrodome would be the likely site, however, hearing that the owners aren’t interested in that option, in part, because they’ll lose money during construction changed his mind, he said.

“I know firsthand if the owners don’t want a particular site, they don’t have to go there,” Wiger said, referring to legislation he authored that was passed years ago that would have placed the Twins stadium diagonal from the Xcel Energy Center.

Slawik said she’s waiting to see which location emerges as the preferred site right now.

She said she expects some action on a stadium, since the governor’s really committed to it, however you “never know.”

Bills Would Address Tanner's Lake Site, Organ Donation

Oakdale’s legislators are also introducing bills this year that would extend the tax increment financing district for the Tanner’s Lake redevelopment area.

“Sometimes the little, mundane bills are really important,” Slawik said, referring to the TIF extension.

Slawik and Wiger are also authoring legislation that would allow people to pay a $10 fee for a special license plate to support organ donation. A constituent in Maplewood whose spouse was saved through a lung transplant requested the bill, Wiger said.