Despite plenty of false optimism but no real leverage, the effort to build a new Vikings stadium could be derailed, again, on Monday night.
According to Mike Kaszuba of the Minneapolis Star Tribune, the proposal will go before the House Government Operations and Elections Committee. It’s chaired by Rep. Joyce Peppin, who has said she favors a public vote on a new stadium. (In other words, she doesn’t favor the current proposal.) If the proposal somehow emerges from the Committee, which has 15 members (nine of whom are Republicans), a full vote of the House of Representatives could happen soon.
The proposal has emerged successfully from two other House committees. No Senate committee has taken action on the measure.
The Vikings’ lease at the Metrodome has expired, but the Vikings did not file notice with the NFL of an intention to relocate before the annual February 15 deadline. The team, the Governor, the Mayor of Minneapolis, and key legislative leaders have reached an agreement on a plan for a new stadium, but until it is approved by the Legislature and the Minneapolis City Council, nothing can happen.
Other than the Vikings moving.