Mark Dayton plans special session for Vikings stadium [POLL]

By Mike Mullen Tue., Oct. 18 2011 at 9:33 AM

Categories: Vikings

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The Vikings stadium will be agreed upon before the stuffing is served.

Mark Dayton announced yesterday that he's so excited about a new Vikings stadium, it doesn't even matter what the damn thing looks like, or costs, or whatever -- just build it, man, we'll figure it out later!

After a meeting with Republican legislators, Dayton held a press conference to announce that he'd call a special session of the legislature in mid-November, whether or not the final, exact plan -- you know, the one with all the numbers -- is in place. In fact, Dayton had only two conditions for the special session: That the stadium be the only issue taken up during the session, and that legislators agree to adjourn before Thanksgiving.

So, with football and gravy on their minds, the elected officials of Minnesota will fill the State Capitol, line up on opposite sides, and smash their heads into each other once more. This means a lot to the taxpayers in this state, though they don't actually get to have their say on the matter.

So instead, in light of the extra-special session, City Pages is bringing you an extra-special poll.

Zygi Wilf, Mark Dayton: Tax receiver, tax collector.

Dayton had gone into yesterday's meetings saying he'd only call the special session if legislators had a rock-solid plan, and all the votes lined up, in order to pass a bill to fund the stadium. Under the current terms, the $1.1 billion stadium would get $300 million from the state, $350 million from Ramsey County taxpayers, and the remaining $420 million from... who are we leaving out? Oh, that's right, the Vikings.

Earlier this month, the Ramsey County Charter Commission voted down the notion of turning over the tax hike to voters, essentially saying, "We'll handle this guys, don't worry."

And now the Minnesota legislature and executive branch will storm the State Capitol once more, in the hopes of reviving the magic that was the Minnesota Shutdown of 2011. Whatever happens inside there, it's unlikely they'll stop to ask voters and taxpayers first: Those groups hardly seemed like top priorities during the shutdown and its deeply flawed resolution.

So instead, you can have your voice heard on the Vikings stadium right here, on this very site. Unfortunately, in order to keep it realistic, City Pages was forced to limit the type of answer you could give.

These are the parameters as offered by the state's elected officials. Sorry guys. We get what we elect.

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