Wright County's Koch Wants Referendum on Vikings Stadium

Wright County Sen. Amy Koch, the Senate's majority leader, told the Minneapolis Star Tribune and other media outlets yesterday that she would like to see a voter referendum on any tax increase proposed to fund a new stadium for the Minnesota Vikings, particularly the current project on the table for Arden Hills.

Koch, flanked by House Majority Leader Kurt Zeller (R, Maple Grove), told reporters she wants to see a vote on the issue, "no matter where it is built."

Fellow Republican Rep. Morrie Lanning (Moorhead) said that will pretty much end any hopes of a new stadium being built in this economy, and the Vikings would be out of Minnesota once the team's lease is up at the Metrodome at the end of this season.

Koch's Assistant Majority Leader, Sen. Geoff Michel (R, Edina) was part of the University of Minnesota Gopher stadium project, and did not push for a referendum for that facility. It was built without a taxpayer vote.

Commissioners in Hennepin County approved a sales tax increase to fund a Twins stadium about five and a half years ago. Vikings administration have stated they would like the same deal the Twins organization received.

Non-scientific polls conducted by various media outlets, including Minnesota Public Radio, show the public does not favor a tax increase to fund the state's portion of the stadium.