I don't think that people oppose building a new stadium for a professional sports franchise but the idea of Joe Six Pack and Suzie Soccer Mom having to foot the bill for what is essentially a playground for childish and often irresponsible millionaires is the major sticking point. Not everyone uses it unlike public roads, parks and schools. It is an entertainment venue for a select few who pay a fee for admittance. Taxpayers wouldn't be asked to help finance a new country club so why should we foot the bill for a stadium that, like the Target Center, the powers that be will claim is outdated in a mere 15 years? I think that Carl Pohlad could easily afford to build any stadium he wanted to but wants to see if he can steal the funds from the public first.

I'm always amused by the people who come out of the woodwork to detest contributing to a new stadium. It seems to be the fashionable thing to do. Far too often I hear the argument "Our tax dollars could be going towards education". Okay, fine. But were you fighting for this cause BEFORE the stadium issue? Were you lobbying for more money to be invested in our schools? Probably not. And, in fact, you were probably the same person who voted NO for our new high school. It's embarrassing!

As soon as these people quit talking out of both sides of their mouths, I will consider listening to their nonsense.

Consider the benefits of something like a new baseball stadium before you form your opinion. The State receives millions and millions of dollars from various taxes including players income tax. Also, no one can argue what the Target Center did for Block E or what the XCel Energy Center has done for Saint Paul. In both cases they have single-handedly rejuvenated their respective communities.

Not to mention, most every stadium plan has been based largely on user fees (stadium parking, etc...) and county-specific taxes. Meaning, if you don't live in Hennepin County, you're most likely not going to pay and penny anyway!

Can a legitimate argument be made AGAINST a new stadium? Possibly. But I have yet to hear one!

The 2001 NCAA Final Four basketball tournament held at the Metrodome brought in $60 million to our local economy. That's as much as the Metrodome cost to build!

If we're faced with helping build a new stadium or watching our team relocate or be contracted, what do you suppose we should do? We swallow our pride and realize, yes, we are being backed into a corner by a 92 year-old billionare in Carl Pohlad and we just do it!

When tax dollars are involved, too many people are too quick to say no before they have all the facts. This is a dangerous attitude.

Over the course of the new stadium's existence, we as taxpayers will see a return on our investment like no other. That simply isn't even up for debate!

Wow cjrief. That's an intelligent comment. Public money is used to aid private businesses every day. All I can do is laugh at statements like that. Funny, I bet you weren't down at the Capitol lobbying for the State to refuse the millions and millions of dollars received from taxes on the Metrodome from the thousands of events that have taken place there.

You don't want to invest, but you'll sure stick your hand in the cookie jar once we have!

If someone told you they could turn your $10 into $500 would you let them? Of course you would. This is an INVESTMENT! Uneducated opinions like cjrief's are what holds this state back.