Metzen: Fund Vikings, Saints Stadiums With Racino Money

In one stroke, District 39 Sen. Jim Metzen (DFL) would permit slot machines at Canterbury Park in Shakopee, and use the gambling revenue generated by those machines to fund the construction of two new sports stadiums in Minnesota.

That's the gist of new bill, proposed by District 27 Sen. Dan Sparks (DFL) and co-authored by Metzen and District 24 Sen. Julie Rosen (R). Under the legislation, introduced last Friday, gaming machines would be allowed at certain, licensed horse tracks, including Canterbury Park in Shakopee.

Revenue from the machines would be funneled into a "Multi-Stadium Revenue Fund" and used to help construct a football stadium for the Minnesota Vikings and a new ballpark for the St. Paul Saints.

“I don’t believe that general taxes should be used for the stadiums," Metzen said on Monday. "This is an optional, volunteer contribution, if you never go [to a horse track], you’re not going to pay.”

The new bill is remarkably similar to another racino proposal earlier this year. Under that proposed legislation, money from slot machines installed at horse tracks would have been used to promote job creation, new business and economic development in the state. When asked if he has abandoned the earlier proposal in favor of stadium funding, Metzen replied that he hasn't yet ruled the earlier bill out.

“We don’t know what’s going to stick," the legislator said.

Metzen's support for racino proposals dates back more than two decades; at one point the veteran legislator even introduced a bill that would've permitted gambling on riverboats scattered across the state.

Sparks' racino proposal was referred to the State Government Innovation and Veterans Committee. A similar bill, proposed by District 48A Rep. Tom Hackbarth (R), was introduced in the House on Friday.

Sen. Jim Metzen

Existing legislation:

— A bonding request authored by Metzen for $3.5 million to construct a grade-separated crossing along South Robert Street in West St. Paul for the North Urban Regional Trail was referred to the Capital Investment Committee. SF1394, introduced on May 5.

— A resolution authored by Metzen declaring August as Meningitis Awareness Month awaits a vote by the Rules and Administration Committee. SR 76, introduced on May 3.

 — A bill co-authored by Metzen that would appropriate $27 million for a new regional ballpark in St. Paul was referred to the Capital Investment Committee. SF 1414, introduced on May 10.

— A bill co-authored by Metzen that would appropriate roughly $4.5 million over two years from the arts and cultural heritage fund for the Minnesota Zoo is awaiting a vote by the Environment and Natural Resources Committee. SF 763, introduced on March 14.

Rep. Joe Atkins

Existing Legislation:

— A bill authored by Atkins that would prohibit automobile insurers from owning repair shops in Minnesota is still awaiting a vote by the Commerce and Regulatory Reform Committee. HF 1564, introduced on April 26.

— A bill co-authored by Atkins that would reduce the salaries and per diem payments for legislators and constitutional officers is still awaiting a vote State Government Finance Committee. HF178, introduced on Jan. 24.

— A bill co-authored by Atkins that would create an Early Graduation Achievement Scholarship Program and provide funding for it is still awaiting discussion by the Education Finance Committee. HF 257, introduced on Jan. 27.

— A bill co-authored by Atkins that increases the penalties for predatory sex offenders has been amended and re-refered to the Ways and Means Committee. HF 6, introduced on Jan. 10

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Correction: The article above has been changed to correct an inaccuracy. Sen. Dan Sparks bill doesn't include Running Aces Harness Park in Columbus. The revenue Sparks' proposal would generate would likely be lower than the $250 million estimated earlier this year by Sen. Jim Metzen.