Opinion

Editorial: White Earth off-reservation casino is a good idea

Wednesday, April 11, 2012

"Wouldn’t it be nice if legislators in St. Paul and the other powers-that-be that have a say in whether or not the Minnesota Vikings get a new stadium would have to speak the truth, like Jim Carrey in the film, “Liar, liar”?

At least then everyone would know exactly why every reasonable plan offered up to help fund the stadium has been shot down, while the ridiculous, convoluted and hypocritical that should be shot down aren’t dead on arrival.

The latest plan nixed without so much as a single debate on the legislative floor involves Erma Vizenor, the chair of the White Earth Band of Chippewa, offering $400 million in tribal money up front to help fund the stadium. In return, the tribe would be able to build a metro area casino but, in a twist, actually pay taxes on it and help fund other things in the future with some of the revenue. “I just don’t think it has the votes,” Republican Minnesota House Speaker Kurt Zellers said."

Get the Story:
Editorial: Shocking! White Earth stadium proposal goes nowhere (The Crookston Daily Times 4/10)