Almanac: At the Capitol

With a nearly billion dollar shortfall this was supposed to be the session where stadiums didn't come up. Nope. A Senate Tax Committee added an amendment for the Sports Facilities Commission to study a new Vikings stadium. The amendment sponsored by Sen. Dan Larson (DFL-Bloomington) went on easily 9-4. The Democrat who spoke up against the amendment was Sen. John Marty. He was exasperated that when people are having trouble paying for their homes, transportation and food that the legislature would allow money to be spent studying a professional sports stadium. An amendment was then added to have a sports memorabilia tax to pay for the study. A recent round up of where all the major issues stood at Easter break proclaimed on a Vikings stadium "not a word, not a hearing, not a chance." Not anymore.

There's a wave at the Capitol wondering if Minnesota should scrap the caucus system and go to a presidential primary. Sen. Ann Rest apparently has a bill that would retain caucuses for party business but create a presidential primary. Sen. Dan Larson and Rep. Steve Simon both have bills to establish a presidential primary but the bills didn't advance past a couple of committees.
Read more »