By Mike Kaszuba
On the first day of the Minnesota Senate's 2011 session, the news for those wanting a new Minnesota Vikings stadium was – delay of game. Sen. Julie Rosen, R-Fairmont, who said she will author legislation this year for a new stadium, said Tuesday that her promise that a proposal would be introduced in late January was "maybe a little optimistic." In one of the major issues expected to face legislators this year, the team is likely to renew its request for significant taxpayer help to build a new stadium. The Vikings have played at the Metrodome in downtown Minneapolis since 1982, and the facility is currently not useable because of tears in its inflatable roof following a December snowstorm. But the stadium could be politically ticklish for Republicans taking control this week of both the Minnesota House and Senate, especially with many Republican leaders pledging fiscal responsibility and stating that the state's $6 billion budget deficit must be dealt with first. "There are meetings, at this point, going on," Rosen said Tuesday. She said that a primary issue – whether the team can find a local government to partner with on a stadium proposal – was still being discussed. "I think that will be determined by the Vikings," she said of finding a local government partner. "I think there's been discussions, but I'm not sure. "I just land[ed] here, yesterday – lots of action," Rosen said of the start of the legislative session. "I'm in six committees – chair of two of them. So, there's a lot going on, but the Vikings will always [be] a priority for myself, and many people."
