Opat – Hennepin County Won’t Pursue Vikings Stadium

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) - The Hennepin County board chairman says his county is out of the running as a possible local funding partner for a new Minnesota Vikings stadium this year.

Mike Opat sent a letter Thursday to Gov. Mark Dayton, saying Opat's pursuit of an agreement with the Vikings "will not continue at this time."

Opat spearheaded Hennepin County's efforts five years ago to pass a sales tax to help build Target Field for the Minnesota Twins.  But Opat has been openly skeptical about prospects for a similar partnership with the Vikings.

In his letter to Dayton, Opat says proposed state cuts to Hennepin County Medical Center and social service programs was a factor in his decision to halt further explorations.

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