Stay Curious. Stay Connected.
MailNewsletters♡Donate Now
Sign up
*Password must be at least 8 characters and contain one uppercase letter, one lowercase letter, one number and one symbol.
Already have an account?
By submitting, you consent that you are at least 18 years of age and to receive information about MPR's or APMG entities' programs and offerings. The personally identifying information you provide will not be sold, shared, or used for purposes other than to communicate with you about MPR, APMG entities, and its sponsors. You may opt-out at any time clicking the unsubscribe link at the bottom of any email communication. View our Privacy Policy.
Sign in to your profile
Forgot Password?
New to MPR News?
Welcome back
to news
for you
Reset Password

Enter the username on file and we'll send you a code to reset your password.

Still require assistance or not sure what your User Name is?
Welcome back
to news
for you
Email Verification

A verification code has been emailed to

Still awaiting the code?
Tim Nelson
St. Paul, Minn.

Dayton willing to consider a 'people's stadium'

Go Deeper.

Create an account or log in to save stories.

Like this?

Thanks for liking this story! We have added it to a list of your favorite stories.

Gov. Mark Dayton says he's willing to consider what he called a "people's stadium" for the Minnesota Vikings, under certain conditions.

The governor spoke to a labor rally and a jobs roundtable Tuesday, and mentioned the stadium at both appearances. He said he'd like to see user fees pay for stadium bonds. Dayton said he wasn't willing to put state general fund money in the deal.

"It is a jobs bill, if we structure the financing the right way to make it a people's stadium," Dayton said. "The word we heard today is unemployment in the building trades is 30, 40, 50 percent."

He suggested that surcharges on tickets, souvenirs and food and beverages could pay off the bonds used to build the stadium.

"Not a dollar of general fund," Dayton said. "Not a dollar that wouldn't be generated except for the economic activity that wouldn't be generated without that project."

Dayton said he wouldn't be surprised if a stadium bill was introduced this week, in spite of deep division over state finances. The Republican-controlled legislature is working through its major budget bills this week, including billions in state funding cuts.