Senate leaders predict close stadium vote

Posted at 11:28 AM on May 8, 2012 by Tim Pugmire
Filed under: MN Legislature, Vikings stadium

Republican Majority Leader Dave Senjem, R-Rochester, is predicting a close vote in the Minnesota Senate today on the Vikings stadium bill.

The Senate gets its turn a day after the House passed its stadium bill 73 - 58 following an 8 hour debate. Senjem wouldn't predict how long the Senate debate might last. He also didn't say if the bill would pass.

"It's difficult to say. I couldn't predict it at all," Senjem said. "I think it's going to be closer than the House, and I would not be surprised if it was one vote, one way or the other."

Senate Minority Leader Tom Bakk, DFL-Cook, said he might have to look for more votes on his side of the aisle, if majority Republican's can't provide enough support.

Bakk has previously said his caucus would deliver 12 votes. He said that's the same number Republicans delivered for the Twins stadium bill when they were in the minority. But Bakk said Monday's House vote, which had more DFL votes than from the GOP, has made him rethink his approach.

"I guess if we find our selves in the same position here in the Senate, that Republicans aren't willing to put up the votes that it takes to try to pass the stadium, I'm going to try to reach out to some of my caucus members and try to find some votes in addition to the 12 that I've said are fair for us to put up," Bakk said.

Services

• Hourly Newscast
• HD Radio
• iPhone App / Mobile
• E-mail newsletters
• RSS feeds
• Podcasts
• Submit your photos
• Videos
• Weather
• Most e-mailed stories