Heading into the 2012 session, a now-familiar litany of questions surrounds the politics of a new Minnesota Vikings stadium. But while the legislative prognosis is far from clear, one thing is certain: Gov. Mark Dayton wants action on stadium legislation to get under way soon after the session is gaveled in next Tuesday.

With a host of issues like light rail ridership and civic pride on the line, Hennepin County officials are keeping their powder dry in the event that they can find an opening to advance a Minnesota Vikings stadium plan.

The implied threat driving the Minnesota Vikings stadium debate is the possibility that the team will quit the state. But national analysts of public-private stadium financing deals are skeptical about the proposition that leaving town would make financial sense for team owner Zygi Wilf.

In what Dayton referred to as “Vikings week,” the first-term DFL governor moved to get the Legislature involved or at least make them potentially feel some heat if they don’t move forward on a plan.

Gov. Mark Dayton has set a schedule by which time he wants a stadium proposal for a Minnesota Vikings stadium finalized and ready for the Legislature's consideration.

Since Gov. Mark Dayton’s administration unveiled its analysis of the risks associated with the proposed Minnesota Vikings stadium site in Arden Hills on Wednesday, opinion has varied as to whether it dealt a fatal blow to the Ramsey County/Vikings plan.

The Minnesota Vikings’ partnership with Ramsey County officials in pursuit of a new football stadium in Arden Hills has remained intact. But the alliance appears to be increasingly isolated in the face of forces in business and elected office in Minnesota who have reservations — or other ideas.

As the Minnesota Vikings worked through preseason practice last week in Mankato, Ramsey County commissioners and team officials were doing intensive work on the specifics of a proposal to help build a new football stadium for the team in Arden Hills.

A Minnesota Vikings stadium bill hasn't been officially introduced yet, but its proposed funding sources are already drawing skepticism from people like Ray Crump.

The Minnesota Vikings have had a disastrous season on the field. Just one year after nearly reaching the Super Bowl, and with virtually the same roster, the team inexplicably scuffled to a 3-7 record in its first 10 games. At this point it would take a miracle for the Vikings to qualify for the playoffs. Last week head coach Brad Childress was pushed off the plank in order to placate the angry Sunday afternoon faithful.