Gubernatorial Primary: Which Candidate Will be on the Vikings Sideline?

As we sprint into the week leading up to the primaries, more questions are being asked around where the gubernatorial candidates stand on the Vikings and the Community Stadium issue. 

As a loyal Vikings fan, here are the top things that you’ll need to arm yourself with headed into the primary:

The Indepented Party (IP) candidates are far and away the most outspoken about stadium solutions, so it makes sense to begin with them.  

Tom Horner – Independent Party

Over the weekend I connected with IP candidate Tom Horner. Horner has been the most vocal candidate of any party regarding a stadium solution. Horner’s PR firm Himle-Horner represented the Minnesota Vikings over the last few years, so it comes as no surprise that he is well educated on the issue.

Earlier this spring, Horner announced he was running for Governor and shortly thereafter resigned as Partner from Himle-Horner. Since then he has been hard at work putting together a stadium proposal that is fair to Minnesotans, the State and to the Vikings.

It is clear that Horner is not afraid of political liability and would address the stadium issue immediately in the 2011 session… AFTER balancing the budget.

Highlights of Horner’s proposal:

• Vikings pay $400 million over 40 years
• Concessions and non-Viking event revenue (200+ events annually), along with tax revenues to pay the debt service; a projected $32-$36 million dollars a year. 
• Penny-per-drink liquor tax state wide

Additionally (and something we should not lose sight of), Tom doesn’t shy away from Racino as a source to help with funding the stadium.

Recently, Tom authored an article that was published in the Star Tribune which outlined his plan for the Vikings stadium issue.

SavetheVikes.org’s take: We have long thought that if the State amplified their efforts to make an offer stating, “60% and not a penny more,” the Vikings would be hard pressed not to come off their original offer of $250 million. The penny per drink idea is unique, creative and STATE WIDE.  Hennepin County residents should be happy to hear this, as they have been expected to share most of the burden (tax or otherwise) for most ideas presented. This concept leaves an incredible amount of tax revenue generated from Racino left over to deal with the state deficit and other social issues. We’ll raise our glasses (and maybe Dayton will too!) to Horner’s proposal and gladly have another drink to help keep the Vikings in Minnesota!

Rob Hahn – Independent Party

Last week, Rob Hahn went on KFAN talking about his ideas (minute 23) and then high- tailed it over to the Metrodome to do a press conference discussing his plans in great detail. Here is how they break down:

• Re-using the Metrodome site which has been previously outlined
• Expanding the Gophers TCF Bank stadium to 80,000 seats and having the teams share
• Multi purpose retail/casino/entertainment center

As for funding, he proposes a mix of Vikings, State and Local county support. He suggests that the state portion could come from some sort of gambling solution, either Racino, eTabs or video poker machines in bars.

Hahn makes it known that he would aggressively re-negotiate the deals with the Tribal Casinos and is not tolerant of special interest dollars running his campaign.

Jay Wiener at MinnPost does a great job of comprehensively outlining Hahn’s proposal here.

If Hahn has his way, we would have Racino, the Vikings would play at TCF Bank Stadium and all state contributions would be paid off in 20 years.

SavetheVikes.org’s take: Bold ideas, fearless when it comes to challenging tribal lobbying and all proposals cost the state under $200 million. Ideally, great. Realistically, neither the NFL nor Wilf have the $600 million to cover the difference.

.         .         .

The rest of the candidates are playing one big sad game of “pass the buck.”  These candidates all feel the solution revolves around a “local/community partnership,” where the entire state benefits from the profits and only a single community pays the bill.

Tom Emmer – Republican Party

Emmer and I had a chance to clear the air a couple of weeks ago after he voted down the stadium house bill last spring. He claims he did so because Minneapolis was not willing to partner with the Vikings. Emmer went on to say that he will not have any state dollars available to fund a stadium. He did pique my interest when he mentioned that he has an idea to utilize industrial bonds. It’s still to be determined how that can generate a revenue source to help fund the stadium, but I am all ears and eager to hear his solution.

SavetheVikes.org’s take: For a user-based model, judging from his choice for Lt. Governor, candidate Annette Meeks, who founded MNCAGE (Minnesota Coalition Against Gambling Expansion), he won’t be looking to Racino as a funding model. He strikes me as another Pawlenty, unwilling to step up and partner on a state level. Unfortunately, this could cost him some votes.

Margaret Anderson-Kelliher (MAK) – Democratic Party

Last summer, MAK grabbed headlines when she threw out the idea of a “purple ribbon panel” to address the Vikings stadium issue. She followed that up last fall by describing the reception at the Capitol for a Vikings stadium proposal as “chilly.” Her official stance on the issue is that “the Vikings really need to find a local partner,” because she will not use general fund dollars.

SavetheVikes.org’s take: There has been no action of any kind or follow-through on her suggestions. With Larry Pogemiller as her right hand man and staunchly opposing any sort of Vikings legislation last fall, we don’t see her rooting for the purple anytime soon.

Mark Dayton – Democratic Party

Mark Dayton is campaigning on the platform of “tax the rich, they aren’t paying their fair share.” WCCO.com lists his position as “benefits have to exceed public costs. Any bonds not repaid from general funds but from user fees.”  In the past, Dayton has been outspoken about breaking the agreement with the Tribal Casinos which would clear the way for Racino or a metro-based casino. He has gone on to say that those revenues generated would not be allocated for a Vikings Stadium.

SavetheVikes.org’s take: Dayton’s campaign has laid more spam on SavetheVikes.org inbox than a Hormel factory worker on double time. However, they have yet to address the issue head-on with a solution or idea. Uneducated opposers to the stadium don’t see the overall state benefits of the Vikings and feel this is a case of the rich getting richer and corporate welfare. If Dayton is portraying himself as Robin Hood this Fall, don’t expect Zygi Wilf or the Minnesota Vikings to see any partnership from him.

Matt Entenza – Democratic Party

Per the WCCO.com article: Entenza supported the approach for the Twins stadium, which depended heavily on a “local partner” in the form of taxes on overall Hennepin County sales, and “taking the same approach this time.”

SavetheVikes.org’s take: Does anybody really know where this guy stands? He is so busy slinging mud he hasn’t taken the time to take a stand on an issue. In fact, he won’t even disclose his own income tax statements, something which the other candidates have done. Entenza: As transparent as the mud he throws. 

So as we head into the primary’s please take a moment to educate your fellow Vikings fans on what candidates want to help, and which one’s won’t. We strongly encourage you to contact your ideal candidate telling them their support of a Vikings stadium solution in 2011 is critical in obtaining your vote!

Cory Merrifield & the SavetheVikes.org team!