Minnesota Senate Approves Vikings Stadium Bill, Thompson Votes No

The Minnesota Vikings are near the goal-line on their drive for a new football stadium in downtown Minneapolis.

The Minnesota Senate voted 38-28 in favor of its version of the controversial legislation to provide the team with about $350 million in state money to build the $975 million facility, with the city of Minneapolis contributing $150 million, and the team picking up the $475 million difference. ()

Sen. Dave Thompson (R-District 36), of Lakeville, voted against the measure, and was one of the staunchest opponents of using state money to fund a new stadium. Thompson was especially critical of using electronic pull-tabs, or any gambling money.

He also said the bill is supported by people too eager to support the team.

"When stadium proponents are putting things on that make the deal less appealing to the Vikings, you wonder if it's been put on just for the purpose of attracting votes and then getting pulled out in conference committee," Thompson told the AP. "But I guess time will tell."

Tuesday's vote came on the heels of a on its version of the bill.

The Minnesota House voted 73-58 to support a $975 million stadium plan that would provide a new facility for the Minnesota Vikings Monday.

In the House, 40 DFL members and 33 Republicans voted yes. Thirty-seven Republicans and 21 DFLers voted against the bill.

Rep. Mary Liz Holberg (R-District 36A), of , voted against the bill, but Rep. Pat Garofalo (R-District 36B), of Farmington, voted in favor. 

Gov. Mark Dayton expressed joy at the outcome, but noted three more positive votes must happen before he can sign a bill. “Our work is not done,” he said.

The two bills must now be re-negotiated by a conference committee made of House and Senate members, and one bill created that each group can approve. That process is expected to begin Wednesday.

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