MPR: Governor wants to bring tribes in stadium-casino bid

Friday, November 4, 2011  

"Governor Dayton says he's open to asking the state's tribal leaders for a contribution to pay for a new Vikings stadium.

Dayton's spokeswoman told MPR News that Dayton's deputy chief of staff met with lobbyists representing the Mille Lacs Band of the Ojibwe and Shakopee Mdewakanton Sioux Community. Those tribes run two of the largest tribal casinos in the state. Dayton told MPR News that he hasn't spoken directly with tribal leaders but he endorsed the idea of asking them to make a contribution to help pay for a stadium.

"That's a possibility," Dayton told MPR News. "And in fact, it was evidently discussed last night at the working group of a number of legislators and they may initiate that. I think it's a good idea but I have not done it myself.""

Get the Story:
Dayton open to asking tribal leaders to pay for part of Vikings stadium (Minnesota Public Radio 11/3)

Also Today:
Dayton aide, tribal representatives met on stadium (AP 11/3)
Vikings stadium talks back on, with gambling revenue the focus (The St. Paul Pioneer Press 11/4)
Vikings stadium talks not dead yet (The Minneapolis Star Tribune 11/4)

Related Stories:
MPR: Another bid for more non-Indian gaming in Minnesota (11/2)
Opinion: Minnesota politicians willing to take a gamble (10/31)
MPR: Mayor of Minneapolis a reluctant convert to gaming (10/28)
MPR: Minnesota tribes face another threat to casino empire (10/19)