Dayton Praises Planned House, Senate Stadium Votes

ST. PAUL  (AP) - Gov. Mark Dayton is praising the decision by Republican legislative leaders to allow a vote on the Vikings stadium proposal in the House and Senate.

Dayton says Thursday it will allow Minnesotans to hold legislators accountable for what he calls a momentous decision. He says he'll try to convince lawmakers the $1 billion stadium plan, with a $400 million state subsidy, is the best deal available.

The Democratic governor says the alternative is losing thousands of construction jobs and maybe the team itself. He is urging the stadium backers to contact their legislators before the bill comes up Monday in the House.

Since taking office last January, Dayton has been one of the most vocal boosters of having the state help the team build a replacement for the Metrodome.

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