Call For State Aid To Resolve Orchestra Dispute Grows

MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) -- It's been nearly 13 months since the lockout began at the Minnesota Orchestra, and now some leaders are calling for state aid to settle the dispute.

They include former Minnesota governor Arne Carlson, who says the orchestra is a valued community asset that should get the same attention as the Vikings stadium.

The orchestra faces a $6 million deficit.

In addition to the call for state assistance, there's also a push to make the Minnesota Orchestra community-owned much like the Green Bay Packers.

Minnesota Rep. Phyllis Kahn of Minneapolis says her bill, allowing citizens to own stock in the orchestra, would be a starting point in the dialogue.

"The purpose of a bill is that you get people talking about it," Kahn said. "So they talk about what the structure should be. One of the things we thought about is we wanted to have a broad community ownership."

Kahn says she'll introduce her bill when the legislature convenes in February.

Fellow Minneapolis Democrat Scott Dibble will co-author the bill in the Senate.