It seems every week is a new hurdle for the Vikings’ to clear when it comes to the stadium issue. Last week, that hurdle was legislators suggesting that a referendum should be held in Ramsey County to decide on the half-percent sales tax increase. The Vikings and Ramsey County reached an agreement in May on a partnership in which the Vikings would contribute $407 million and Ramsey County would provide $350 million toward a $1.1 billion stadium project through a county-wide sales tax increase. Senate Majority Leader Amy Koch (Rep.-Buffalo) and House Speaker Kurt Zellers (Rep-Maple Grove) were most out front and public on the topic. “Some of their comments on the referendum, disappointing. Our lease is up and this building and the Metrodome is not a viable NFL facility,†said Lester Bagley, Vikings vice president of public affairs and stadium development. “We’ve done and the Wilfs have done and the Vikings have done everything required. A great site, a local partner, local contributions. We’ve done everything required and all we’ve asked is that we be held to the same standard as the Twins in terms of the referendum question. That’s where we are on it. I think there’s a lot of consternation on some of the comments that have been made, but we’ve got to charge forward.†Source: Scout.com
