MPR: Session 2002: Stadium

Major League Baseball has threatened to eliminate the Minnesota Twins and one other franchise, apparently unless Minnesota agrees to help fund a new baseball stadium for the team. Complicating the debate, however, will be the contention of the Minnesota Vikings that they need a new stadium too and a disagreement between the Vikings and the University of Minnesota about whether the stadium should serve both organizations.

YOUR VOICE

• Forum
"Sen. D.Johnson says 'I' support the stadium. He does not say the people he represents support the stadium."

AUDIO

•Does a new stadium really make a difference. Cathy Wurzer talks with Don Walker of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. Listen (Morning Edition - 5/3/02)
•Opposition to the stadium bills. Listen (Midday - 3/27/02)
•The stadium debate. Listen (Midday - 3/18/02)
•User fees and the stadium. Guest: Sen. Dean Johnson. Listen (Midmorning- 3/11/02)
• Sen. Dean Johnson outlines prospects for a new stadium (Midday - 1/29/02)
•Dean Barkley, director of Minnesota Planning and member of the task force on stadiums, discusses the chances for state funding or financing of a new stadium for the team. Listen
•Rep. Harry Mares, R-White Bear Lake, sponsor of stadium legislation in 2001, discusses the chances for a stadium bill this session. Listen
•Sen. John Marty, DFL-Roseville, on the mood at the Capitol for stadium legislation. Listen
•Metropolitan Sports Facilities Commission news conference following Appeals Court ruling. Listen
•The stadium debate - Rep. Mary Liz Holberg - Midmorning (1/17/02)
Donald Watkins
Businessman pursuing Twins.
Carl Pohlad
Interview with MPR

More Audio...

RESOURCES AND LINKS

A Baseball Battle (MPR Coverage)

Stadium Task Force
Audio and video archives of hearings.

SESSION ISSUES

Stadium

At-A-Glance
Gov. Jesse Ventura signed a stadium financing bill on May 22, 2002. The bill cleared the House 72-61 and the Senate followed shortly after with a 49-18 vote. It's the most progress the Twins have made in their stadium quest in seven years. If successfully carried out, the proposal might stave off a plan by baseball to eliminate the low-revenue franchise. The deal for a $330 million ballpark requires a $120 million private contribution - facilitated by the Twins - prior to any bond sale. In addition, the team would pay $10 million a year in rent. Some say the plan effectively eliminates Minneapolis as an option.


	Latest Stadium News at the Capitol
	Ventura signs stadium bill May 22- Minnesota's fight to save the Twins from extinction got a big boost Wednesday when Gov. Jesse Ventura approved a financing framework for a $330 million ballpark. It caps a seven-year effort by the Twins to secure help from the state for an open-air, natural grass stadium. But the plan has only lukewarm support from the Twins. Twins officials are unsure they'll be able to find $120 million for a required down payment and get a guarantee from major league baseball that a team will play in Minnesota for at least 30 years. Read
	More Stories on this Issue
	•Vikings, Twins pick apart stadium bill (5/20/02) •Legislature passes stadium bill (5/19/02) • Stadium bill unravels (4/5/02) •Twins attorney issues new demands as ballpark bill advances (4/3/02) • Enthusiasm for stadium bill waning (3/28/2002) • Twins' contraction still a possibility, Selig says (3/26/02) • House passes stadium bill (3/25/02) • House committee hands Twins, Ventura a stadium win (3/21/02) •Ventura proposes stadium plan (3/15/2002) • Senate passes stadium bill (3/13/02) • Ballpark financing plan advances... barely (3/12/02) •Stadium financing plan sent to full Senate (3/8/02) •Twins stadium bills still alive (2/19/02) •Vikings thrown for loss at Capitol (2/18/02) •St. Paul stadium plan advances (2/15/02) •Things begin to look up for Twins (2/7/02) •Contraction postponed (2/5/02) • Task force ends work with two-stadium recommendation (1/28/02) • Twins continue the fight Supreme Court upholds decision ordering Twins to play in 2002. (1/23/02) • Panel recommends two stadiums A tripartisan stadium task force is poised to recommend that the governor and the Legislature approve financing proposals this year for two new stadiums. (1/16/02) • A knack for confrontation The Donald Watkins story. • Panel endorses stadium funding. A tripartisan stadium task force opted to support the concept of public financing for a stadium, while steering clear of direct subsidization. • Where are the opponents? As the stadium issue progresses at the Capitol, the fervent opposition of previous sessions is missing. • Homer Hanky Jurisprudence The Minnesota Twins argued before an appeals court that the team should not be forced to play baseball in the Metrodome in 2002. • A Cold Omaha? If Major League Baseball moves ahead with its contraction plans and cuts the Twins before next season, some have suggested that the Twin Cities reputation as a major league city sports location would be in jeopardy. • Metrodome renovation plan attracts few fans.The Vikings are seeking a $500 million stadium to be shared with the University of Minnesota Gophers. But the Metropolitan Sports Facilities Commission is advancing a plan to renovate the Metrodome. (More coverage)

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