Lake Minnetonka Lawmakers Back Vikings Stadium

Both of Lake Minnetonka's state representatives voted in favor of a new Vikings stadium late Monday.

State Representative Connie Doepke (R-33B), who represents many of Lake Minnetonka's eastern communities, and Rep. Steve Smith (R-33A), who represents the western side of the lake, were among 73 lawmakers—33 of which were Republicans—who supported a bill that would build a new stadium on the site of the Metrodome.

Monday's passage of the bill in the House, however, doesn't guarantee a new home for the Vikings.

The Senate is expected to take up its version of the bill on Tuesday. If the Senate approves the measure, a committee made up from members of the House and Senate will need to negotiate a final bill and get approval from their respective bodies. If approved, it could be to the governor's desk by the end of the week.

The bill calls for $427 million from Vikings, $150 million from Minneapolis, $398 million from state via expansion of charitable gambling, to build the stadium.

The bill includes funding sources such as gaming, ticket surchages and Minneapolis tax dollars that funded the Metrodome and Minneapolis Convention Center to make up for the state and local portion of the stadium. The Vikings have said they will pay for about $425 million.