Dayton: State Won’t Chip In Direct Aid For Soccer Stadium

ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) - Minnesota governor Mark Dayton is reiterating broad Capitol opposition to a direct soccer stadium subsidy for a newly announced pro franchise, but he hasn't closed the door on assisting in other ways.

Dayton cheered the news Wednesday that Minnesota was chosen as an expansion site for Major League Soccer. The goal is to field a team by 2018 if the ownership group can finance construction of a planned outdoor stadium in Minneapolis.

Dayton says it's possible the state transportation department or county governments would undertake infrastructure improvements in the vicinity of a soccer stadium. He says he hasn't been approached with any proposal.

But the governor says other major business expansion projects have had exits ramps added or widened to assist with traffic flow.