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Taxpayers For an Anoka County Stadium Referendum |
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Welcome! From December 2007 - Spring 2008, meetings will be held the second TUESDAY of each month. Here are the dates:
7:00 p.m.
Centennial High School Red Building
4704 North Road
Circle Pines, MN
Park in the large lots at the East end of the high school complex, near the intersection of North Road and Sunset. Enter on the east end of the building (the Sunset side). ***************************************************
WANT A SAY IN TAXATION? BRING THIS RESOLUTION TO YOUR MINNESOTA CAUCUS:
"Be it resolved, that the ____________ Party support voter referendum for all public funding of stadiums and arenas (and/or related infrastructure) in Minnesota for use by professional sports teams, including those projects calling for use of a sales tax."
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Why We're Here... "Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful citizens can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has." - Margaret Mead
In the past Anoka County heavily promoted the construction of a new Vikings Stadium as part of a multi-use development which was first called "The Preserve at Rice Creek". The project was slated to be built on Lexington Avenue just north of Interstate 35W. The total cost of the stadium plan increased from $650 million - a 2005 projection, to $790 million –a 2007 projection and in 2008 the team estimates the cost of a new stadium at $954 million. While Mr. Wilf's portion of that cost remains at $250 million, he is now asking us taxpayers for $714 million! Now calculate the true cost to taxpayers when factoring in approximately 5% interest over the 30-year Mortgage period.
It is yet unclear what magic financing formula the lawmakers will come up with to subsidize one of the richest men they can find. What is clear is that when Zyggi and his lobbyists go before the legislature he will offer to spend 10% less on his own building than just 3 years ago. And the taxpayers will be spending approximately 300% more than they were going to be forced to spend before. This projected cost does NOT include additional costs for infrastructure upgrades and related public service increases (fire & police support, etc.) Where would that additional money come from? Anoka County spent around $1million of our tax dollars to develop and market their failed plan. That taxpayer money was wasted when Zygi bought the team and scrapped the original design for a new one of his own, leaving Anoka county officials and Board members scratching their heads. Next Mr. Wilf began talk of purchasing downtown Minneapolis land, but just a few months later he walked away from that deal as well. This leads one to question his sincerity when talking about a stadium deal. Think about it. With the added cost increase, if you live in Anoka County you still may be paying an additional $100 per year, PER FAMILY MEMBER, for this stadium even though it is now located in Minneapolis. All while our basic services are being slashed. The state learned in a rather dramatic way last summer that infrastructure cutbacks come at a cost to the very lives of Minnesotans. The kicker: some state legislators WILL TRY to set aside a referendum law that is on the books, and impose the local taxes WITHOUT A REFERENDUM. The latest iteration, from November 2007 from our Metropolitan Sports Facilities Commission, has us paying for yet another study which supports taxing you for stadiums. It appears that this new report by RSM McGladrey has everyone abuzz over the cost benefit in taxes of funding the Metrodome, Target Center, Met Stadium and Xcel Center. The numbers claim that the state revenue gains from taxes nearly matches the cost of the facilities. Lots of pages and charts do not take into account that the current cost to the taxpayers of a $713 million dollars for a new stadium is 3.75 times as much as the current Metrodome would cost in today’s dollars, and does it conveniently does not mention the cost of mortgage payments that will increase the total tremendously. The report also doesn't include this fact: people will spend their budgeted entertainment dollars locally, somewhere, even if they cannot go to a football game. Thus tax revenues will be collected with or without an overpriced palace.
The pig in that poke could not be worth it no matter how much lipstick is employed. ***************************************************
SIGN OUR NO STADIUM TAX PETITION! Details on News Updates PAGE.
Thank you to all who have taken the time to sign so far. AND THANKS TO ALL WHO HAVE SENT THEIR SIGNATURES AND DONATIONS IN THE MAIL IN RESPONSE TO OUR FLYERS! What the petition ISN'T: a legal document meant to change a law. What it IS: a "straw poll" that indicates how many people do not want to enrich millionaires with tax hikes for stadiums. It is one way to get your voice heard.
While more people are signing every day, we still need you to keep telling your friends and neighbors so that when the right moment comes to present our list, the numbers will be truly impressive! | |||||||
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The purpose of Taxpayers Against an Anoka County Vikings Stadium is to inform Anoka County Taxpayers about the impact of constructing a stadium for the Vikings in Anoka County. With this information we hope we can influence taxpayers to oppose the building of the stadium through the use of taxpayer money, and to have them become involved in the political process to stop its construction. |
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