Dayton Would Support Vikings Stadium Referendum

FALCON HEIGHTS (AP) - Gov. Mark Dayton says he would support letting Ramsey County voters weigh in on a proposed sales tax increase for a new Vikings stadium.

Stadium backers have been working on a plan that would not allow voters a say in building a Vikings stadium in Arden Hills. At the Star Tribune's State Fair booth Monday, Dayton told fairgoers he thinks there are a lot of unanswered questions about Arden Hills.

Even though Hennepin County built Target Field without a referendum, Dayton says a countywide vote now might be appropriate. Ramsey County Commissioner Tony Bennett says a referendum is a potential deal-killer.

Bennett says the question wouldn't be on a ballot until 2012, and the Vikings may not be willing to put up with the delay.

Viking vice president of stadium affairs Lester Bagley points out that similar projects, such as Target Field, were not subject to a public vote.