Minnesota House to Take on Vikings Proposal in Hearing

ST. PAUL  (AP) - A Minnesota House committee is holding a hearing on a retooled Vikings stadium bill that tries to resolve several issues holding up its progress at the Capitol.

The House Commerce Committee meets Monday night. They'll get a bill now supported by Minnesota charities with gambling operations, whose tax proceeds are proposed to help pay for the $975 million stadium.

Leaders of those charities had been opposing the stadium proposal as they sought greater tax relief, which the bill's newest version provides.

It also identifies several backup pots of money to pay off stadium bonds if gambling revenue doesn't cover the state's $398 million share. Those include taxes on luxury boxes and admission at the new stadium; a sports-themed lottery game; and an existing Hennepin County sales tax that helps pay bonds on the Twins' Target Field.

(Copyright 2012 by The Associate Press.  All Rights Reserved)