Vikings home among NFL’s most energy-efficient

A framework for the park mostly matches a concept introduced earlier this year.

The Minnesota Vikings and the public owners of their future stadium in downtown Minneapolis have reached agreement on lease and financing terms. The two sides also reached an accord on a controversial provision to sell personal seat licenses to help the Vikings cover their $477 million share of the $975 million stadium's cost.

In conjunction with the increase in the per-pack cigarette tax that took effect July 1, the state levied a one-time tax on floor stocks of cigarettes. Most of the money from the floor stocks tax will serve as a backup source of funding for the state's share of building the new Minnesota Vikings stadium.

On the afternoon that the House cast its historic vote in favor of gay marriage — completely monopolizing attention at the Capitol — the Senate quietly debated a bill overhauling the state’s campaign finance rules. Most notably, the bill would significantly increase caps on spending and contributions for political campaigns.

Dayton said the bill irresponsibly added to the deficit in future years and lacked sufficient tax relief for individuals.

Sunday is proving to be lifeless at the state Capitol after a day of partisan acrimony over the session's centerpiece issues of a bonding bill, tax bill and a pro football stadium for the Minnesota Vikings. DFL Gov. Mark Dayton called on Republicans to hold floor votes on the stadium. Republican legislative leaders responded by declining to meet in session on Sunday.

In a conference call Thursday morning, Dayton said NFL commissioner Roger Goodell issued a formal "warning" that the the team could leave Minnesota if the Legislature didn't finalize and pass a deal to start the construction of a new stadium before this session is over.

The day after a House panel delivered the Vikings stadium push a clear blow, Gov. Mark Dayton cast new doubt on whether the drive can succeed this year

Dayton, who received a handful of stadium proposals from cities and counties last week, said Wednesday that he prefers the current location of the Metrodome or a site on Linden Avenue in downtown Minneapolis.