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Dayton Says He Has Secret Plan For Secure Stadium Funding

MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) – Gov. Mark Dayton says he has a plan that may rescue the state's funding package for the new Vikings stadium.

New electronic pulltabs have not made as much as expected, so lawmakers are still looking for a different source of revenue for the state's portion.

What's the source? Well…it's a secret.

The governor says he has a plan, but he won't publicly say what it is. He will only say "it's something you've never imagined".

A lot of people never imagined that e-pulltabs would fall so far short of expectations -- to the point that it might not be able to be counted on as a secure source of stadium funding.

Meanwhile, lawmakers are preparing to impose a memorabilia tax on a wide range of pro-sports related items.

On Wednesday, Dayton said his new plan just might work.

"I'm not going to make any predictions about e-pulltabs, e-bingo," Dayton said. "I think it will improve. I don't know how much, but I want to find a secure funding source that is sufficient so that even if it fails there would be enough revenue to pay back the bonds."

The plan, the governor said,  doesn't involve getting the Vikings to pay more.

So when will the plan be made public?

The governor said he doesn't want to ruin the surprise. However, that's not the word some irritated lawmakers would use to describe it.

They're very concerned about the funding, and about the backup proposals to make up for the shortfall.

Note: The legislative session ends soon.

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