BLAINE, Minn. – With the legislative session behind us, and a new bonding bill in place, several area legislators reflected on what got accomplished this week. The MetroNorth Chamber of Commerce held a session-wrap up for community and business leaders to come and listen to their legislators talk about what got done this session. While the legislative session had a wider scope, the session wrap up conversation focused heavily on the Vikings stadium, and what this means for the state moving forward.
“I think this is probably the best deal we were going to get,” said Representative Tim Sanders. “We’ve lost two teams in the past, and not only did we pay to bring those teams back, but we also bought new stadiums for them.”
There was no clear consensus on feelings about the stadium, even amongst those in the same political party; but one thing that everyone seemed to agree on was their frustration about the lack of transparency in the process.
“There was no open hearing on the conference committee,” said Senator Michelle Benson.
The legislators also took a little time to talk about projects they have been working on in Anoka County, and how they are making a difference for their constituents. Representative Peggy Scott highlighted a specific bill that she sponsored that now allows sheriff’s departments in Minnesota to save money by not being forced to repaint any car they buy to the only state approved colors of brown and white.
In total, nine local legislators attended the session wrap-up.
