MINNESOTA VIKINGS

Senator: Vikings stadium out of construction bill

Senate Majority Leader Dave Senjem said Thursday that a GOP stadium proposal first floated Tuesday is now separate from the construction bill because of complications related to using state borrowing to pay for a stadium.

By Associated Press , May 03, 2012

Dayton willing to consider ‘harebrained stadium scheme’

Late Wednesday morning, Gov. Mark Dayton blasted a vague Republican plan as a “fiasco” and said “I just find it offensive.” He said the GOP proposal could kill any hope of building a new stadium this year and called it a “switcheroo” from a stadium proposal eight months in the making that passed several legislative committees. A few hours later, saying he stood by everything he said earlier, Dayton added about the new plan: “It is absolutely worth pursuing... Whether there is any viability, I can’t say.”

By Don Davis , May 02, 2012

Republicans in midst of stadium plan do-over

Minnesota Republican lawmakers say it is time for a Vikings stadium plan do-over. GOP leaders said Tuesday that they are crafting a plan less expensive for the state than one awaiting House and Senate votes. Gov. Mark Dayton and Democratic legislative leaders learned of the proposal Tuesday morning, By telling reporters about it they forced Republicans who control the Legislature to reveal the concept that has been discussed in private for two weeks. While many Republicans appear to like the plan, Democrats are upset they have not been involved. The Vikings rejected it.

By Don Davis , May 01, 2012

Legislative session end still elusive

Minnesota legislators take off Wednesday in hopes they can wrap up their work for the year Thursday. Legislators missed their self-imposed Monday deadline to adjourn and little progress was made Tuesday on key controversial issues such as funding public works projects and a Vikings stadium. The goal of a Thursday adjournment is far from a sure bet, House Majority Leader Matt Dean, R-Dellwood, said because those debates likely will take a long time, if they even are ready to be debated Thursday.

By Danielle Nordine and Don Davis , May 01, 2012

Vikings RB King out of jail, no charges filed

Minnesota Vikings running back Caleb King has been released from jail with no charges filed after his arrest in an alleged beating outside a birthday party last weekend.

By Associated Press , May 01, 2012

UND FOOTBALL: Three former Sioux to attend Vikings minicamp

The Minnesota Vikings have extended rookie minicamp invitations to three former UND football players, although two of those athletes haven’t been with the Sioux since 2010.

By Tom Miller , April 30, 2012

Sponsor: Monday stadium vote unlikely

Sen. Julie Rosen says she believes the bill will be voted on this session, but says it's part of a larger package of issues including a tax policy bill that still need to be worked out.

By Associated Press , April 30, 2012

Funding key in stadium debate

A debate about whether gambling or user fees should be used to pay for a new Vikings stadium is the latest in a long fight over how to fund the project. Two Saturday Capitol rallies previewed discussions expected when the House and Senate debate stadium funding plans.

By Danielle Nordine , April 28, 2012

No Vikings stadium vote Saturday

Dozens of Vikings fans decked out in purple jerseys rallied in the state Capitol Saturday, but went home disappointed after learning there would be no debate to build a new stadium. As the fans chanted “save our team” outside the House chambers, Gov. Mark Dayton and the Legislature’s Democratic-Farmer-Laborite leaders asked House Speaker Kurt Zellers to take up the bill right away. But House Republicans did not plan a debate Saturday.

By Don Davis , April 28, 2012

Stadium bill survives tough committee fight

A Vikings stadium construction plan will receive a full Senate vote after what its Senate author described as a brutal Friday committee hearing lasting more than five hours. Sen. Julie Rosen, R-Fairmont, said she expects the plan to pass the Senate, which may take it up Sunday. “We fought back a lot of lousy amendments,” Rosen said. One of those proposed amendments was by Sen. John Howe, R-Red Wing, who ended up as the swing vote that allowed the Senate Tax Committee to approve the stadium bill 7-6.

By Danielle Nordine and Don Davis , April 27, 2012

Stadium bill running short on time

Approving a new Vikings stadium by the Legislature’s Monday deadline is becoming harder as time grows short, the House stadium bill author said today. “It’s beginning to look more and more likely that we can’t be done Monday,” Rep. Morrie Lanning, R-Moorhead, said.

By Don Davis and Danielle Nordine , April 27, 2012

Vikings stadium financing plan: It's complicated

A selling point for the Minnesota Vikings stadium plan, advocates say, is that it doesn't depend on general tax dollars. That would mean it doesn't put pro football in direct competition with money for public schools, nursing homes or other valued programs. How true that is is a key source of friction between stadium backers and opponents, and a concern for some lawmakers on the fence.

By Brian Bakst , April 27, 2012

Vikings take Matt Kalil with No. 4 overall pick

The Minnesota Vikings selected USC offensive tackle Matt Kalil with the No. 4 overall pick in the NFL draft.

By Associated Press , April 26, 2012

Tax talks trump stadium hearing

Work on changing Minnesota tax laws took precedence Thursday over considering a new Vikings stadium. “We can only do so much at one time,” Senate Tax Chairwoman Julianne Ortman, R-Chanhassen, said.

By Danielle Nordine , April 26, 2012

Minnesota Vikings on the clock, sort of

Minnesota, you are on the clock. With a half-dozen or so players considered elite in this college crop, Minnesota figures to choose between Southern California tackle Matt Kalil, Alabama running back Trent Richardson, LSU cornerback Morris Claiborne and Oklahoma State wide receiver Justin Blackmon.

By Barry Wilner , April 26, 2012