Dayton to Advocate for Law Changes to Build Soccer Stadium

ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) - Gov. Mark Dayton says he'll take an active role in advocating for law changes that could lead to a new professional soccer stadium and franchise in Minnesota.

Dayton said Tuesday he is neutral on which city - Minneapolis or St. Paul - should host the team. But he met Monday with St. Paul officials and Major League Soccer Commissioner Don Garber.

St. Paul is promoting a site along Interstate 94 between the two downtowns. The city would need state action to swap ownership of land from the Metropolitan Council to another entity while maintaining its status as tax exempt. Dayton says he'd push for that change in the 2016 legislative session.

The investment group working to land a franchise wants the privately owned stadium to be free from property taxes.