October 06, 2009

MN rep floats slots for Vikes

And here come the Minnesota Vikings stadium subsidy bills! First up: Rep. Tom Hackbarth, who wants to install slot machines at two horse-racing tracks and use the proceeds to fund a new football stadium. He'd need to have a voter referendum to amend the state constitution first — a similar idea for the Twins was already soundly rejected in 1997 — and according to the St. Paul Pioneer Press, "Hackbarth said he hasn't talked with legislative leaders, the Vikings or Gov. Tim Pawlenty." But he did manage to get his name in the newspaper next to "Vikings," and that's what's important.