Rep. Garofalo on Mystic/Canterbury Deal, Vikings Stadium, Fireworks

RACINO WARS END - MYSTIC/CANTERBURY REACH AGREEMENT

Monday, Mystic Lake and Canterbury Park announced an agreement to increase the purses for horse racing at Canterbury.  I've been a long time supporter of the Racino. (allowing slots at Canterbury)  While I am disappointed that my bill to pass the Racino will now never become law, I am very happy that this agreement will revive Minnesota's horse breeding industry, improve the rural economy, and create additional private sector jobs.  Please reply and let me know what you think of this agreement.  Attached is a StarTribune story on this.  

FIREWORKS, PAYBACK TO SCHOOLS, HOME DAY CARE UNIONIZATION

The legislative session ended about 2 weeks early.  The Governor signed a Vikings stadium, education reforms, and improvements to school trust lands that force private sector competition.  On the down side, the Governor vetoed my bill to pay back $430,000,000 owed to schools, vetoed a bill to allow some fireworks, and continued his push for home day care facilities to be unionized.  I wish the Governor would have been more reasonable, but in the end - I thought the legislative session did more good than bad......MORE

VIKINGS 

The legislature is done debating the Vikings situation, but I wanted to inform you of an amendment I pushed for.  During the debate on the Vikings bill I offered an amendment to do three things

1. Increase the Vikings contribution by $105 million
2. Transfer responsibilities for "cost overruns" away from the public.
3. Share stadium naming rights revenue with the public instead of it going to just the public.

In the final bill, the Vikings paid $50 million more ($477 million total) and the public was protected from cost overruns.  Reasonable people can disagree on the stadium, but I hope you support my efforts to make the Vikings bill more taxpayer friendly.  Here is a story on my amendment from that day.

ENJOY THE SUMMER! 

While the legislative session is over, there is still more work to be done.  If you have any questions or need help with something involving the state government please feel free to contact me.  As always, it is an honor to serve as your State Representative.  Have a great summer and stay in touch! 

Rep. Pat Garofalo
District 36B
221 State Office Building
100 Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd.
Saint Paul, Minnesota 55155
(651) 296-1069
1-888-667-3337