A joint press release issued by DFL Gov. Mark Dayton and Republican and DFL legislative leaders concludes there is not enough support in the legislature to pass a Vikings stadium deal that would exempt a referendum on a local sales tax in Ramsey County or Minneapolis.
Without such an exemption, the earliest that Ramsey County and the city of Minneapolis could hold a referendum would be at the November 2012 general election.
Dayton issued the following statement:
"Last Friday’s meeting was very significant in eliminating one proposed source of financing for a People’s Stadium in either Ramsey County or Minneapolis, unless the Vikings are willing to endure the time delay and continuing uncertainty in obtaining voters’ approval. Given this reality, we are now actively assessing and discussing with the team other financing options."
Dayton is scheduled to talk to the press at 3 p.m. The Minnesota Vikings will speak to the press at 4 p.m.
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The Vikings have said that requiring a referendum would kill the project. Several area lawmakers, both Democrats and Republicans, have said they would not support exempting local governments from holding a referendum on a sales tax proposal.
