vikings/nfl

The decision isn't all that agonizing...really. If he allows a special session the onus is off of Zellers as a vote in committee or the floor could derail the stadium, whereas, if he doesn't allow it, he alone will be identified by stadium supporters as the single person responsible for defeating the stadium issue. That decision could propel him to greater heights within the Republican party but could also mean political suicide. I suspect he likes being in control.

Zellers should get off the sideline. Mr 'free market' and "we don't have a revenue problem, we have a spending problem" should be vocal in opposition to this bad bill. Passing a bill that overrides the city charter and the citizens wishes to extend the highest city tax in the country is not fiscally conservative.

Lead, follow or get out of the way. Kurt Zellers of the not ready for prime time players. Maybe he should serve a few terms on the Soil & Water Conservation board to get the hang of this legislating thing.

Let's get it done Kurt. With Dayton's support and Senjem's support, you do not want to be known as the guy responsible for losing the Vikings. It doesn't have to include more taxes, this can be done with seat licensing, merchandise fees and electronic pull-tabs. It's that easy.

The Fine Line will be which legislatures will vote in favor of the Electronic Pull Tab SCAM and which will not SCAM us.

Electronic bingo and pulltabs, the state's portion of the funding, will never generate adequate revenue. There are far more entertaining ways for a rube to lose a paycheck than these silly games. Horse racing on a sunny afternoon. Blackjack with a drink in one hand and a cigar in the other. Poker at the cardroom. Whoever came up with this lame scam is not a gambler, and has zero marketing expertise. And the taxapayers will be on the hook when pulltabs/bingo fails.

"the guy responsible for losing the Vikings" will be none other than Ziggy. He's no different than the kid who threatens to take his football home if he doesn't get his way. The smart kids tell him to take a hike. Most important things are learned as kids.

What pressure is this guy under? How hard is it to say "no" to Mr. Wilf's ridiculous stadium extortion scheme?

Supporters are distressed that he hasn't done enough to support the plan? Well, maybe because it is a crappy plan? Or maybe, just maybe he senses that the majority of people feel that a stadium, now, is just plain wrong? So what is to be distressed about? Is it automatic that the Speaker be for every piece of legislation that comes up? Its amazing that the lobbyists think that they have him in their back pocket. Perhaps he would have a true hearing and then decide, rather than this shame that played out a few days ago where the conclusion was foregone and when some 'promised' votes on the committee saw the light and backed down. How does it feel, if you're a legislator, to have YOUR vote PROMISED? Sort of like a harem girl having the Sultan tell you what to do because he owns you? Well, today it is your turn to vote for this piece of garbage legislation and take one for the team....

Why aren't slot machines at Canterbury part of the solution? I guess it makes too much sense.