The Vikings stadium bill has now cleared every hurdle but one.
With a Conference Committee striking a deal Wednesday night on language harmonizing the House and Senate versions of the stadium bill, the Vikings signed off on the revised agreement -- and early Thursday morning the House of Representatives voted to accept the deal, 71-60.
The vote consisted of only two fewer “yes” votes in the House, even though the compromise bill reduced by $55 million the Vikings contribution as determined by the House.
“The Vikings and the Wilfs have stepped up,” Vikings V.P. Lester Bagley said, via the St. Paul Pioneer Press. “We’ve made a commitment to secure this franchise.”
The Legislature has stepped up, too, even though plenty of the members don’t like the outcome.
The Senate, which approved the bill by a 38-28 vote early Wednesday morning, will consider the compromise bill at 9:00 a.m. CT on Thursday. If the Senate passes the measure, it will go to Governor Mark Dayton for a final signature.
Of course, the Minneapolis City Council must also approve the final plan. However, a majority of the council members previously have expressed support for the effort.