Dayton, legislative leaders to meet, talk Vikings stadium

ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) — Gov. Mark Dayton is hosting the first of three meetings this week to discuss the Minnesota Vikings’ bid for a new, partially taxpayer-funded stadium.

The Democratic governor will hold a private meeting in his office Monday afternoon with Republican leaders in the state House and Senate and other officials. Dayton supports helping the Vikings, but has not expressed a preference between the team’s plan for a suburban Ramsey County stadium and the continued push by some political and business interests in Minneapolis to build on one of several sites there.

This week’s meetings could be pivotal as the team pushes to replace the Metrodome. It’s the first time Dayton will meet with House Speaker Kurt Zellers and Senate Majority Leader Amy Koch specifically on the stadium; both those Republicans have expressed reservations about the state’s participation.