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Taxpayers For an Anoka County Stadium Referendum |
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Legislative Info & Links In April 2005 State Senator Betzold (Fridley) and State Representative Westerberg
(Blaine) co-sponsored and submitted a Vikings stadium bill. It contained language seeking to prevent
Anoka County citizens from voting on whether the County can increase its sales tax.
Luckily, the bill did not pass through both the house and senate in 2005...THIS time.
And the public Tax Committee hearing held on October 11, 2005 sent a message from Anoka County residents that we insist
upon a referendum if legislators continue to push for tax money to fund this private entertainment business.
Tell State Representative Westerberg and State Senator Betzold not to introduce another
bill like this! And if they do, insist that any bill requiring local tax increases MUST include a referendum -- because
it is state law. Tell your legislators it's wrong 'set aside' laws they don't like. They should either abide
by the laws THEY PASSED, or go through the process of changing the laws, like anyone else.
Although it is quiet on the stadium front for now (autumn 2005) and some politicians are calling
it 'dead', we at TAACVS call this issue THE UNDEAD. It keeps popping back up every session in slightly altered form.
That's why it's important to keep letting your legislators know what you think.
Handwritten letters and phone calls are especially effective! Here is the contact information
of the two authors of the most recent stadium bill. If you live in their districts, please contact them:
If the above are not your representatives, remember to contact your state senator and congressional rep.
Here is the MN Legislature's "Find your Representative" page. You can find both senate and congressional
reps here.
A University of Minnesota stadium bill is moving forward and the
State is pledging $7 million per year toward that project. Already too much tax money going to support sports when
education and basic services are suffering.
Currently Rhonda Sivarajah is the only Anoka County Commissioner who opposes raising our taxes to
build a stadium. Please:
This link: Anoka County Board Commissioners List takes you to the Anoka County web site in a new window. If you don't know who your Commissioner is, use the map on the County's page to help you find him/her. There you will find contact information so you can let your Board member know that you do not want a tax increase for a stadium...and that you DO demand a referendum if they intend to attempt a tax increase! |
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