Don Davis
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Don Davis has been the Forum Communications Minnesota Capitol Bureau chief since 2001, covering state government and politics for two dozen newspapers in the state. Don also blogs at Capital Chatter on Areavoices.
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- Member for
- 5 years 4 months
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ST. PAUL - A Vikings stadium construction proposal is stalled in the Minnesota Senate. The Senate Tax Committee was expected to debate the bill today, but now does not plan to take it up. The bill needs to go through the committee before the full Senate can vote. There was no immediate indication when the bill could come up. Sen. Julianne Ortman, R-Chanhassen, said the Vikings stadium bill should go through her Tax Committee before heading to the floor.
ST. PAUL - A Senate committee voted today to backup Vikings stadium funding by allowing horse-racing tracks to add casinos, a change the bill author said would kill the bill. Sen. Sean Nienow, R-Cambridge, offered an amendment to allow so-called racinos at the state's two horse tracks, replacing increased taxes expected from allowing electronic pulltab and bingo charitable games as a way to fund stadium construction. Before committee members voted on the Nienow amendment, Sen. Keith Langseth, DFL-Glyndon, got it changed to allow both the pulltab and racino expansion.
ST. PAUL -- A key Minnesota state senator gave Vikings stadium supporters a dose of reality this morning in announcing she plans to slow the rapid movement of a bill to construct a new facility. Sen.
ST. PAUL -- Minnesota leaders apparently cannot stop their North Dakota attacks. Rep.
ST. PAUL -- Minnesota hunters and anglers could get their wish to pay higher license fees, but some House Republicans must be convinced first. "I think it is doable," Rep. Denny McNamara said of getting enough votes from fellow representatives, but it will be a tough job. Supporters of the increase need to help, McNamara said.
ST. PAUL -- The full Minnesota House will vote on whether to build a Vikings stadium. Tough questions continue even as the plan to build a stadium gained new life Monday night, a week after another committee rejected it. The Ways and Means Committee amended a stadium construction proposal onto another bill and then approved the full bill.
ST. PAUL -- A Vikings stadium construction effort has fallen short for years, but a Friday meeting among NFL officials and Minnesota leaders produced the most progress so far. The plan that passed a Senate committee Friday night 8-6 faces tough votes in other committees.
ST. PAUL -- Minnesota political leaders and National Football League officials said an hour-long meeting this morning gives them more confidence a Vikings stadium can be built. Gov.
ST. PAUL -- Minnesotans should be proud of their Capitol and repair its crumbling outside walls, its outdated electrical system and interior that is falling apart, Republicans said Thursday in an unsuccessful effort to fund the long-discussed work. Eleven Democrats joined Republicans in an 80-50 vote to sell $221 million of bonds to finance the work. It needed 81 votes to pass. "I am not going to bring it up (again) unless they (Democrats) will come ask," bill sponsor Rep.