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Politics & Government

Oakdale's Legislators Differ on Potential Arden Hills Vikings Stadium

Rep. Nora Slawik and Sen. Chuck Wiger both say they have concerns with the Arden Hills Vikings stadium proposal, but for different reasons.

Oakdale’s representatives in the Minnesota Legislature both said they had concerns with a proposal to construct a new Vikings stadium in Arden Hills, but for different reasons.

Sen. Chuck Wiger (DFL-Maplewood) said he doesn’t agree with paying for part of the stadium through a general sales tax on all of Ramsey County, while Rep. Nora Slawik (DFL-Maplewood) said she’s concerned about the proposed state contribution.

Imposing a general countywide sales tax increase is what the legislature approved to help fund the Twins stadium in Hennepin County, Slawik said, and so she is willing to consider a similar proposal for the Vikings stadium.

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But at a time when legislators are charged with cutting about $5 billion from the state’s budget, she said she questions whether the state really can afford to contribute  $300 million or more toward a stadium, or whether the team should contribute more.

Wiger said he thinks the Arden Hills location is a “long shot” because the cheaper option—rehabbing the Metrodome—makes more financial sense.

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Wiger said he opposes a general sales tax increase to fund the stadium, and would instead support taxes that target Vikings fans, such as taxes on team apparel, game tickets and game parking.

“It’s the sport that Minnesotans are most passionate about,” he said. “That said, that doesn’t mean everyone should pay for it.”

Wiger said he sees the value in building the stadium now, because one will be built eventually, and costs will keep rising.

“At the end of the day there’s going to be a new Vikings stadium,” he said. “The owner will have to put in more, and it won’t be based on the sales tax.”

Editor's Note: Capitol Review is a weekly look at what your state legislators are doing at the Minnesota Capitol—how they're voting, the bills they're writing and the issues they're getting behind. Come back to Oakdale Patch each week for a new Capitol Review.

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