Mark Dayton

Politicians crack me up, it's like never growing up.  "You hurt my feelings, now I'm going to hurt yours you poopy butt!".  Hopefully cooler heads prevail and they quit being so crazy sensitive.
 

Gov. Mark Dayton’s pointed comments Monday that Senate Republicans were “unfit to govern” may affect one of the biggest issues at the state Capitol – whether to pass legislation for a new Minnesota Vikings stadium.

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The state of Minnesota got unexpected news withe this $876 million state surplus.  However it looks like all Minnesota residents won't be receiving a check anytime soon.
Although they predict the state will end the two-year budget cycle with a surplus, the state's economic gurus are not dancing in the streets

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Hey, whatever it takes to get this stadium issue resolved right?  I picture a bunch of guys in Polo shirts and Dockers watching a game together.  Wonder if they will have beer and nachos?  What I really think they should do is watch a game together at the Metrodome.  Then they will see the passion of the fans inside and outside of the stadium and how busy nearby businesses are for the game.
 

Maybe if everyone just sat down and watched a Minnesota Vikings game things would work out.

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Sounds like Governor Mark Dayton understands that having a professional team and a stadium is about way more than just building a playground to get an owner rich.  It's about long term state revenue, jobs and community.  Whether this leadership actually leads to a solution remains to be seen, but it's a start.
Gov. Mark Dayton Tuesday put pressure on lawmakers to step forward to help build a new Minnesota Vikings stadium.

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We knew it was getting close, but it looks like we can officially say the shutdown for the state of Minnesota has reached its end.
 

It's over. Finally.

Gov. Mark Dayton ceremoniously signed a dozen bills Wednesday morning that will turn the lights back on for Minnesota's government and close the door on a shutdown that was the longest in recent U.S. history.

In the course of three minutes, he signed a 10-inch stack of bills that will eliminate the state's $5 billion budget deficit and said that "effective tomorrow, be back to work." Dayton also said that the shuttered state parks, one of residents' flashpoints during the shutdown, now in its 20th day, will reopen Thursday.

The reason the resumption of services won't resume immediately, his aides said Tuesday, is that state law requires a day for newly-enacted laws to trigger the

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The first day since the holiday weekend and sadly there is no encouraging news as of yet.
 

Leaders at the Capitol emerged Tuesday from the latest negotiations since the shutdown began with little progress to announce.

In fact, things may have taken a step backward.

Republicans renewed their request for the governor to call a special session

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Remember when the Minnesota North Stars left?  The first thing the state did was put together a plan to get an NHL franchise back.  If the Minnesota Vikings leave, that will happen again but there are no guarantees of the state getting another team nor would it be deserving of one if they lose the Vikings.  The difference is right now the state and Vikings have an opportunity to work things out, if both sides sincerely want to.  If they don't I believe we'll see the Minnesota Vikings move to L.A.
 

Minnesota Vikings owners and Gov. Mark Dayton emerged from a summitmeeting Tuesday pledging to try to plug by Friday a funding hole of up to $131 million in the team's proposed new $1 billion Arden Hills home.

That hole appeared no smaller after Dayton reiterated

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The governor has never publicly said what he thought the team should cover and now perhaps his comments will begin a negotiating process?  I would love to see the Vikings get a stadium and I think using casino revenues and an increase in sports merchandise tax is a good path for public costs so it won't impact everyone.  While Vikings brass may not want to pay that much out of pocket, they must be happy that there is a conversation on topic rather than indifference.
Gov. Mark Dayton, the most important booster at the State Capitol for a subsidized Minnesota Vikings stadium, said Monday that the team should pay more than they've publicly committed for the stadium.

Vikings officials say the team would pay a third of the cost of a roofless stadium, estimated at about $700 million. The stadium bill recently introduced also puts the team's contribution at a third of the cost, requiring at least $1 for every $2 of state and local money.

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