*** OFFICIAL*** Minnesota Vikings offseason thread (3 Viewers)

[Herb]

The actions of both Zellers and Garafolo are seemingly bizzare.

I'll have to ask my state rep buddy what went on behind the scenes when this is all said and done.

Please share his thoughts with us. I would be very interested in hearing that conversation.

 

[Wadsworth]

I am not even a Vikes fan and I am nervous. Any local updates would be much appreciated.

 

[snogger]

I am not even a Vikes fan and I am nervous. Any local updates would be much appreciated.

The senate met for 2 minutes and then went into recess.. Only in politics can you "work" for two minutes and then go to recess..

 

[Andy Dufresne]

The actions of both Zellers and Garafolo are seemingly bizzare.

I'll have to ask my state rep buddy what went on behind the scenes when this is all said and done.

Please share his thoughts with us. I would be very interested in hearing that conversation.

He just asked me my opinion on how it's coming across and I told him that while I'm sure Zellers is in a bad spot, he's coming across as a guy playing chicken with Dayton and the Garafolo $100m less thing came from seemingly out of left field.Does that about sum it up?

 

[snogger]

here is a link..

After convening an hour and 19 minutes late, the Minnesota Senate met for two minutes before recessing for an hour. The Senate is expected to reconvene shortly.

 

[Prussian]

The actions of both Zellers and Garafolo are seemingly bizzare.

I'll have to ask my state rep buddy what went on behind the scenes when this is all said and done.

Please share his thoughts with us. I would be very interested in hearing that conversation.

He just asked me my opinion on how it's coming across and I told him that while I'm sure Zellers is in a bad spot, he's coming across as a guy playing chicken with Dayton and the Garafolo $100m less thing came from seemingly out of left field.Does that about sum it up?

My Rep buddy ® is telling me similar things. He also mentioned funding options seems to be flying around without recognizing the impact on the Bonding bill or other tax related discussions\bills.

I didn't feel very confident when I talked to him Friday night, so yesterday's vote surprised me.

 

[Herb]

The actions of both Zellers and Garafolo are seemingly bizzare.

I'll have to ask my state rep buddy what went on behind the scenes when this is all said and done.

Please share his thoughts with us. I would be very interested in hearing that conversation.

He just asked me my opinion on how it's coming across and I told him that while I'm sure Zellers is in a bad spot, he's coming across as a guy playing chicken with Dayton and the Garafolo $100m less thing came from seemingly out of left field.Does that about sum it up?

Does he have insights into the process? Like do they view the $105mm as the beginning of a bargaining process or is that number close to what it's really going to take for the final bill to go through even after the Senate and committees get done with it? In other words, is there room for negotiation regarding that figure?

 

[Herb]

My Rep buddy ® is telling me similar things. He also mentioned funding options seems to be flying around without recognizing the impact on the Bonding bill or other tax related discussions\bills.I didn't feel very confident when I talked to him Friday night, so yesterday's vote surprised me.

Some of the news being reported, like the suggestion of the lifetime lifting of the blackout rule, just as an example, seemed to indicate that some of the legislators were in over their heads as far as knowledge of the NFL itself. Is this an issue throughout the house, or is it just a localized problem with a few members that are ignorant of that aspect of football?And how beholden are these people to existing gaming interests? Seems like the answer to funding would have been simple had indian gaming been expanded by the White Earth tribe, but there was zero traction for that.

 

[snogger]

My Rep buddy ® is telling me similar things. He also mentioned funding options seems to be flying around without recognizing the impact on the Bonding bill or other tax related discussions\bills.

I didn't feel very confident when I talked to him Friday night, so yesterday's vote surprised me.

Some of the news being reported, like the suggestion of the lifetime lifting of the blackout rule, just as an example, seemed to indicate that some of the legislators were in over their heads as far as knowledge of the NFL itself. Is this an issue throughout the house, or is it just a localized problem with a few members that are ignorant of that aspect of football?And how beholden are these people to existing gaming interests? Seems like the answer to funding would have been simple had indian gaming been expanded by the White Earth tribe, but there was zero traction for that.

You could just stop right there.

 

[Andy Dufresne]

Does he have insights into the process? Like do they view the $105mm as the beginning of a bargaining process or is that number close to what it's really going to take for the final bill to go through even after the Senate and committees get done with it? In other words, is there room for negotiation regarding that figure?

We've just been texting back and forth a bit. With as busy as he is I don't want to interrupt too much.But knowing Rep. Garafolo like I do, I HAVE to think that they threw this in there just as something to bargain away. He's too sensible for such (apparently) nonsense.

Some of the news being reported, like the suggestion of the lifetime lifting of the blackout rule, just as an example, seemed to indicate that some of the legislators were in over their heads as far as knowledge of the NFL itself. Is this an issue throughout the house, or is it just a localized problem with a few members that are ignorant of that aspect of football?And how beholden are these people to existing gaming interests? Seems like the answer to funding would have been simple had indian gaming been expanded by the White Earth tribe, but there was zero traction for that.

There was a lady rep yesterday that wanted some sort of a hedge against the NFL starting it's own cable channel. Apparently she didn't know the NFL Network has been around since '03.

 

[snogger]

Sounds like there was quite an intense Republican Caucus that caused the delay on the Senate floor:

The Minnesota Senate debate of the Vikings stadium bill was delayed more than three hours after a recess to start Tuesday's session.

A Capitol source told FOX 9's Jeff Goldberg the delay was due to Republican disagreements.

"It's now Rosen versus Thompson inside GOP caucus," the source said, referring to stadium bill author Sen. Julie Rosen and anti-stadium Sen. Dave Thompson of Lakeville.

"If I had to bet on this vote I wouldn't put up much money," Thompson said. "I have no idea how it's going to turn out."

Sen. John Howe (R-Red Wing) called the Senate GOP caucus meeting "intense." He said for stadium to have the votes in the Senate, user fees need to be in the mix.

Standing nearby, Sen. James Metzen (DFL-South St. Paul) (DFL), assured "it'll pass."

 

[snogger]

Just trying to help those not nearby.. :

The Minnesota Senate began looking to Vikings fans to help pay for a new $975 million stadium in downtown Minneapolis as a financing proposal faced a second key vote on Tuesday.Sen. Julie Rosen, the stadium bill sponsor, proposed imposing user fees on suites, parking and Vikings merchandise as the Senate debate began, a day after a different version of the stadium bill cleared the House with votes to spare.Rosen's amendment - adopted on a 40-26 vote - would levy a 10 percent fee on suites and on parking within a half-mile of the stadium, and impose a 6.875 percent fee on Vikings clothing, trading cards and other memorabilia.

I don't have an issue with this one at all.. For those of us that want to go to a game, paying an extra $20 or so isn't going to stop us from going and if it helps build the stadium then I'm all for it..

 

[Andy Dufresne]

Big fan of user fees.

 

[snogger]

Big fan of user fees.

 

[snogger]

Well, I need to head home so I can vote in this ridiculous Recall vote going on in Wisconsin..

So if anything happens in the next hour and a half I hope someone else will keep the thread updated.

Fingers crossed!!!!!!

 

[datonn]

Big fan of user fees.

Yep. Let the people who want to attend the games (and/or other events occurring in the venue) pay for it via user fees. Or at least a healthy chunk of it. Tying the State's contribution to gambling revenues is awfully, awfully scary. As the State is facing enough long-term fiscal issues as it is without adding a potential, additional nine-figure problem to the mix.

 

[Heatman]

Big fan of user fees.

Yep. Let the people who want to attend the games (and/or other events occurring in the venue) pay for it via user fees. Or at least a healthy chunk of it. Tying the State's contribution to gambling revenues is awfully, awfully scary. As the State is facing enough long-term fiscal issues as it is without adding a potential, additional nine-figure problem to the mix.

I'll say it again. Start taxing CURRENT casinos before building more.

 

[snogger]

Big fan of user fees.

Yep. Let the people who want to attend the games (and/or other events occurring in the venue) pay for it via user fees. Or at least a healthy chunk of it. Tying the State's contribution to gambling revenues is awfully, awfully scary. As the State is facing enough long-term fiscal issues as it is without adding a potential, additional nine-figure problem to the mix.

I'll say it again. Start taxing CURRENT casinos before building more.

 

[snogger]

It will be late before they vote. They have gone through 30 possible ammendments since this afternoon and still around 50 to go

 

[The Gatekeeper]

Any updates guys?

 

[sports_fan]

Pretty good way to follow the talks: http://minnesota.publicradio.org/collections/special/columns/news_cut/archive/2012/05/live-blog_minnesota_senate_deb.shtml?refid=0

 

[datonn]

Any updates guys?

The Senate passed an amendment that replaces gambling proceeds with user fees (9.98%, and increasing to 11.25% in 2017, I think)...34 Aye, 33 Nay. And about five seconds before they closed the vote, it was 33 Aye, 34 Nay, so someone changed their vote at the VERY last minute. That's only important because if the Senate ultimately does pass a stadium bill tonight, the Vikings are already on record as opposing the idea of "user fees," since they think it'll make tickets to games too expensive (or cut into their revenues from having to keep prices for tickets in-check). So that'll be something the House and Senate would need to work out in Committee...OR the Vikings would just have to settle for it as the best they could get from the Minnesota State Legislature.

 

[snellman]

Watch live here

This is the most congress I have ever watched. Whole lot of BS going on both sides and a lot of talk about nothing (at least I call it nothing because I have no idea what they are talking about )

 

[The Gatekeeper]

Thanks for the links and updates guys.

 

[datonn]

SF 2391 - Providing financing for a $975 million Vikings stadium located in Minneapolis; authorizing electronic pull-tabs, bingo, establishing user fees, suite surcharge

Yea 38, Nay 28 The bill passes. On to conference committee with the State House.

 

[The Gatekeeper]

Sweet! thanks datonn

 

[Herb]

We're not out of the woods yet, but I'm starting to get hopeful.

38-28 is a good football score.

Positive omen? :fingerscrossed:

 

[snogger]

Half a

Now to committee..

As I stated above, I think those that were against it will stay against it no matter how the "final" bill comes out of committee and those for it will stay for it.

As long as they go with the senate version of asking the Vikings to pitch in Another $25 Million, I believe the Vikings will accept that deal and this Decade long will be over!!!

 

[The Gatekeeper]

What is the schedule of events now? Does this Committee meet within the next couple of days?

 

[snogger]

What is the schedule of events now? Does this Committee meet within the next couple of days?

Goes to committee today.. I believe there are 6 members.. 3 from the Senate and 3 from the House.. All voted yes to the bill(s). They will hammer out the differences and then send the final bill back to the house and senate.. probably Thursday or Friday for a final vote..From KSTP, basically saying what I did above:

The full Legislature is now on record, with a majority of lawmakers opting for a publicly subsidized stadium. Barring reversals or late surprises, the Vikings are primed to emerge this month with authorization for a new $975 million stadium it has chased for more than a decade.

 

[Jobber]

I'm optimistic. I think that from here on out, the two parties will be doing math to determine exactly which members vote which way but still allow it to pass. Of course they're only interested in their own re-election and want maximum *** coverage with their voters.

 

[Andy Dufresne]

I'm optimistic. I think that from here on out, the two parties will be doing math to determine exactly which members vote which way but still allow it to pass. Of course they're only interested in their own re-election and want maximum *** coverage with their voters.

But then there's the wildcard of the Vikes saying "Uhhh, we're not paying that extra money..."

 

[snogger]

I'm optimistic. I think that from here on out, the two parties will be doing math to determine exactly which members vote which way but still allow it to pass. Of course they're only interested in their own re-election and want maximum *** coverage with their voters.

But then there's the wildcard of the Vikes saying "Uhhh, we're not paying that extra money..."

If the committee settles on the Senate version.. i.e. an extra $25 million, I have to believe they will take that deal or they will have a HUGE and I might join the one's against this bill telling them to shove it.If they decide to go with the House version then I believe the Wilf's will tell them No deal.. Should know later today..

 

[The Gatekeeper]

Any chance this is done tonight or more realistically tomorrow?

 

[Herb]

Any chance this is done tonight or more realistically tomorrow?

Meetings going on tonight. My understanding is that everything must be done Thursday, as that is when the extended session must end by law.Vikes are currently on the hook for $50 mill more than they agreed to, but it would seem as if that should be a workable number, no? Helluva lot cheaper than a relocation fee.For the first time in years I am legitimately excited that this will actually get done.SKOL!!!

 

[The Gatekeeper]

Any chance this is done tonight or more realistically tomorrow?

Meetings going on tonight. My understanding is that everything must be done Thursday, as that is when the extended session must end by law.Vikes are currently on the hook for $50 mill more than they agreed to, but it would seem as if that should be a workable number, no? Helluva lot cheaper than a relocation fee.For the first time in years I am legitimately excited that this will actually get done.SKOL!!!

Yeah I just read the final bill came to a compromise of $50 mil more to be paid by the Vikings. So I am taking that this bill will be voted on by both the House and State tomorrow and then on the Governor's desk Friday morning to be signed? I am with you Herb and I finally have some optimism that this thing will get done.

 

[datonn]

A bit off-topic, since it's for the Senate's Omnibus Tax Bill and not the Vikings stadium (though it's related, as if partisan politics sours the mood at the State Capitol, it could potentially FUBAR any final stadium bill): in what bizzaro universe are we living in, where the Republicans are pleading for deficit spending (increasing the State's deficit in the coming years), and the Democrats are saying that the budget needs to be balanced...and/or that Governor Mark Dayton (D) will veto any bill that lands on his desk that adds to the State's debt?!

 

[Herb]

A bit off-topic, since it's for the Senate's Omnibus Tax Bill and not the Vikings stadium (though it's related, as if partisan politics sours the mood at the State Capitol, it could potentially FUBAR any final stadium bill): in what bizzaro universe are we living in, where the Republicans are pleading for deficit spending (increasing the State's deficit in the coming years), and the Democrats are saying that the budget needs to be balanced...and/or that Governor Mark Dayton (D) will veto any bill that lands on his desk that adds to the State's debt?!

Also off topic, apologies, but when I lived in MN I always sort of enjoyed the "political wild card" nature of MN politics (I voted for Ventura and Wellstone). But since I've left, looking at it as an outsider, that state has seemingly come unglued politically. The gov't shutdown and what you're talking about are just a couple examples. What the hell happened up there? Now back to our regularly scheduled Viking thread.

 

[griff321]

Any chance this is done tonight or more realistically tomorrow?

Meetings going on tonight. My understanding is that everything must be done Thursday, as that is when the extended session must end by law.Vikes are currently on the hook for $50 mill more than they agreed to, but it would seem as if that should be a workable number, no? Helluva lot cheaper than a relocation fee.For the first time in years I am legitimately excited that this will actually get done.SKOL!!!

The Vikings are backing the bill! Just a final vote that will go through and a signature that will happen and we got a new stadium!!SKOL!!!!!!!

 

[datonn]

A bit off-topic, since it's for the Senate's Omnibus Tax Bill and not the Vikings stadium (though it's related, as if partisan politics sours the mood at the State Capitol, it could potentially FUBAR any final stadium bill): in what bizzaro universe are we living in, where the Republicans are pleading for deficit spending (increasing the State's deficit in the coming years), and the Democrats are saying that the budget needs to be balanced...and/or that Governor Mark Dayton (D) will veto any bill that lands on his desk that adds to the State's debt?!

Also off topic, apologies, but when I lived in MN I always sort of enjoyed the "political wild card" nature of MN politics (I voted for Ventura and Wellstone). But since I've left, looking at it as an outsider, that state has seemingly come unglued politically. The gov't shutdown and what you're talking about are just a couple examples. What the hell happened up there? Now back to our regularly scheduled Viking thread.

I've lived here my whole life (North of MSP, in MSP, and now SW of MSP), and I wish I knew. I think things started going Cuckoo for Cocoa Puffs once Jesse Ventura was elected...as Minnesotans were SOOOO fed-up with the two major parties bickering and posturing over literally everything. Someone could make a motion to adjourn, and it might lead to an hour debate about what "Party X" wasn't willing to stay as long as it takes to get the job done. I've just come to ignore it. Ignore St. Paul, and ignore D.C. You gotta pay the tax man what's his! But it's really just a bunch of blow-hards on both sides of the aisle who are more interested in winning hearts and minds than they are solving problems.But with that off my chest, back on-topic. The Senate has adjourned for the evening, and cannot vote on the new "compromise" of a Stadium bill before at least 11:53am tomorrow (this, I suppose) morning. So we're done until at least lunch-time tomorrow.

 

[Red Forman]

 

[snogger]

Vikings agreed to pay $50 Million more, House passed it.. ONE MORE VOTE!!!!!!

 

[Jobber]

Wow

 

[The Gatekeeper]

This is so sweet! I have been worried all week. Woke my son up this morning and told him the Vikings are staying in Minnesota and his reaction was priceless and is even wearing his Peterson jersey to school today.....lol. I have great memories of my dad and I watching Vikings games and discussing everything Vikings and want the same with my son.

 

[snogger]

This is so sweet! I have been worried all week. Woke my son up this morning and told him the Vikings are staying in Minnesota and his reaction was priceless and is even wearing his Peterson jersey to school today.....lol. I have great memories of my dad and I watching Vikings games and discussing everything Vikings and want the same with my son.

I remember to this day when Fran Tarkenton played his last game, watching it with my Dad :(Then there was 1998 and Gary Anderson's miss and my Dad was there with me Hopefully within the next few years they will FINALLY get to, and win a Superbowl so I can chalk up one more Viking memory with him.

 

[mozzy84]

Vikings agreed to pay $50 Million more, House passed it.. ONE MORE VOTE!!!!!!

 

[Johnny Rock]

Awesome deal for Zygi. It was a long fight but he made off like a bandit.

I like him as an Owner though. I'm excited to see where he takes the Vikings.

 

[Red Forman]

This is so sweet! I have been worried all week. Woke my son up this morning and told him the Vikings are staying in Minnesota and his reaction was priceless and is even wearing his Peterson jersey to school today.....lol. I have great memories of my dad and I watching Vikings games and discussing everything Vikings and want the same with my son.

 

[Andy Dufresne]

Awesome deal for Zygi. It was a long fight but he made off like a bandit.

I like him as an Owner though. I'm excited to see where he takes the Vikings.

What makes you see it that way?

 

[snogger]

Awesome deal for Zygi. It was a long fight but he made off like a bandit.

I like him as an Owner though. I'm excited to see where he takes the Vikings.

What makes you see it that way?

They are paying money to basically "lease" the Stadium as the Vikings will still pay rent to use it..

I guess if you want to say that by getting a new stadium the value of the Vikings will increase and therefore he could sell them for more than he could have without a Stadium then I'd see you point..

But, IMO,.. he did not "make off as a bandit".