In the Spotlight

Tools
News & Features

The Stadium Bills
Minnesota Public Radio
March 28, 2002

Following is a comparision of stadiums passed by the House and Senate and proposed by the governor provided by the Minnesota House of Representatives Communications Department.

  House Bill Senate Bill Governor's Plan
Cost $330 million $370 million (maximum) $330 million
 
Ownership of Ballpark Host city Host city Host city
 
Twins' contribution One-half of the project cost up-front as a non-refundable gift to the state, the interest earnings of which would be used to pay principal and interest on the bonds, the Twins cover any shortfall due to investment performance At least one-half of the price of the ball park and pay for all cost over-runs One-half of the project cost up-front as a non-refundable gift to the state, the interest earnings of which would be used to pay principal and interest on the bonds, the Twins cover any shortfall due to investment performance.
 
Local taxes Admissions tax of up to 10%, Hospitality taxes (food and alcoholic beverages) up to 5%, Hotel-motel taxes up to 5%, $2 minimum per-vehicle parking surcharges; Media access fees for use of the facility; taxes would "blink off" once bonds were paid. Special tax on sports memorabilia of 13% (defined as items licensed by professional baseball, football, hockey, and basketball leagues, associations, franchises, and teams, the NCAA and NCAA Division 1 college sports, including items related to sports figures, teams, games or events; trading cards; photographs; clothing; sports event items; sports equipment; and items bearing a team or league logo or trademark) sold in the 7-county metro area. The admission tax at the Metrodome is increased from 10% of the admission price to 15% of the admission price (the additional 5% tax goes into the sports facilities account), as well as a 10% admission tax at the new baseball park or football stadium. The Sports Facilities Commission may impose a gross revenues tax of 6.5% of revenues on concessions within the Metrodome, the new baseball park and football stadium; 3% tax on retail sales of liquor, entertainment or food in the host city, $2 ticket surcharge on admissions to all games and events at the baseball park, $2 per-vehicle charge on game days at parking facilities designated by the host community, $1.50 per-day surcharge on car rentals within the host community; $0.50 of this goes to housing in the host community, and $0.50 goes to airport noise mitigation. None; this is left up to the host city if or to what extent the host city will assist the Twins in making their annual payment of principal and interest on the bonds.
 
Site To be proposed by an Executive Council consisting of the state constitutional officers, and then approved by the Legislative Commission on Planning and Fiscal Policy. To be determined by a baseball site selection commission Unclear
 
Bonds issued by Host city Host city State
 
Referendum 6/4/02 for local taxes 6/4/02 for local taxes None
 
Future Vikings/ Gophers stadium No provision Creates a special sports facilities account to fund the baseball park or football stadium and other sports facilities, with most of the taxes, fees, or charges imposed under this bill are de posited; money received from the owner of a baseball team and private contributions for a baseball park, and ticket taxes for baseball games or other events at the baseball park can only be used to finance a baseball park; money received from the owner of a football team and private contributions for a football stadium, ticket taxes for football games at the Metrodome, and games or other events at a new football stadium can only be used to finance a football stadium; money not specifically dedicated to baseball or football may be used for debt service on bonds issued under this bill, and may also be used for repairs and upgrades to other facilities. No provision
 


Back to main story