Political Notebook

Benson to fight against using gambling money for stadium

Rochester Republican Rep. Mike Benson is vowing to fight against plans to using gaming money to fund a new Minnesota Vikings stadium.

Benson will join Sen. David Hann, R-Eden Prairie, at a 9 a.m. press conference tomorrow where he plans to rip the idea of using charitable gaming to fund the state's $400 million share of the project's cost. A major portion of those dollars would come from electronic pull-tabs.

Benson said he has two problems with that idea. First, he said electronic pull tabs are not a reliable funding source. If not enough money comes in, there is the risk that state general fund dollars would have to go towards paying the stadium bond debt payments.

"We could end up taking money out of the general fund, which certainly means we are going to be robbing Peter to pay Paul," he said. "We're not going to have money for schools and hospitals and all the other things."

His other concern centers on the moral issues related to gambling.

"I support the Vikings. I want to build a stadium. I just don't want to do it on the backs of compulsive gamblers," he said.

So Benson is going to put forward his own funding idea that relies on taxing tickets, parking, sports memorabilia and luxury suites. Another possibliity would be having a Vikings license plate. He said these taxes would be targeted to people who use the stadium.

 

Senjem to introduce racino bill next week

Rochester GOP Sen. Dave Senjem is taking the lead in pushing a bill to allow video slot machines at two horse-racing tracks in the state.

I just got a press release about a news conference slated for 10 a.m. Monday at the state Capitol announcing Senjem will be the chief author of the racino bill. Also joining him will be DFL Sen. Dan Sparks of Austin, who sponsored the bill last year. Rep. Bob Gunther, R-Fairmont, will be the chief author in the house. The measure could raise $250 million per year.

Previous racino attempts have fizzled at the Capitol. But with the state facing a $5 billion budget deficit, this might be the year lawmakers and the governor are willing to consider gambling as part of the solution. A big question is how those racino dollars would be used. One option would be for the money to help go towards building a new Minnesota Vikings Stadium. DFL Gov. Mark Dayton has said he would not want to see gambling money diverted to a stadium. Rather, he would like to see any such revenues go towards education.

Joining the lawmakers for the press conference will be representatives from Minnesota's equine industry, who are strong supporters of the bill. But expect a tough fight on the measure — especially from Native American tribes who argue this expands gambling in the state and will divert business from their casinos.