Representative Banaian Not Supportive Of Vikings Stadium Proposal

ST. CLOUD -- At least one St. Cloud Republican lawmaker does not support the plan to fund a new Vikings stadium.

Two Republican State lawmakers sent a letter outlining the plan to their colleagues last (Thursday) night.  It basically calls for the team to pay for one-third, a local government such as Ramsey county to pay for a third, and then the state to finance the final third.

State Representative King Banaian says that's too much.  He says the Vikings should be paying for at least half of the cost.

Banaian, who is also an economics professor at St. Cloud State University, says the economic benefit for a new stadium would actually be quite small, and the state wouldn't get much of a return on it's investment.

Supporters of the plan say lawmakers have to do something this year, because the Vikings' Metrodome lease is ending.