Locals: "No" to State Funded Vikings Stadium

Earlier this year, legislators representing Minnesota’s 42nd Congressional District, which includes parts of Minnetonka, developed a legislative survey and asked residents to fill it out. More than 2,000 people participated in the survey, which was mailed throughout the district and also made available online.

“The responses...help us continue doing our best to represent our area at the state Capitol," Sen. David Hann (R-District 42) and Rep. Kirk Stensrud (R-District 42A) said in a joint statement. “The overall message local citizens communicated is they want us to rein-in state spending, spur the private sector and limit taxes."

The first four questions pertained to jobs, the state budget and the economy in general. Forty-five percent of survey respondents ranked the $5 billion state budget shortfall as the most important legislative issue. Another 22 percent of the participants list limiting tax increases as the top priority, and the same percentage say job creation is most important.

A 69-percent majority of local citizens indicate state government could most effectively improve the economy by reducing business taxes to encourage entrepreneurs to create new jobs, followed by 62 percent who favor reducing income taxes on individuals and families.

Favored by 80 percent, the top choice for balancing the budget is cutting spending and government programs. Furthermore, 83 percent say we should limit state spending to actual revenue in order to prevent future shortfalls.

Respondents also favor a photo ID requirement for voters (81 percent), leaving the smoking ban in place (73 percent) and oppose using state dollars for the construction of a new Minnesota Vikings stadium (58 percent); 42 percent of those who favor state money being used favor user taxes applied specifically to goods and services purchased by football fans. A 69-percent majority either "strongly support" or "support" considering nuclear power as an option for meeting future energy needs. 

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DETAILED RESULTS

1. What is the most important issue Minnesota faces? (Rank 1-5 with “1” your top priority)

• 45% Budget shortfall
• 22% Limiting tax increases
• 8% Cost and accessibility of health care
• 11% Improving education for Minnesota students
• 22% Job creation

* Note: Percentage of respondents who ranked each category as priority No. 1. Some respondents entered “No. 1” multiple times, pushing the total past 100 percent. 

2. What should state government do to most effectively improve the economy? (Percent who selected "yes" for each)

• 22% Borrow money to fund construction projects
• 69% Reduce business taxes to encourage entrepreneurs to create new
• jobs
• 22% Raise taxes to fund state government programs
• 62% Reduce income taxes on individuals and families

3. What should Minnesota government do to balance the budget? (Percent who selected "yes" for each)

• 80% Cut spending and government programs
• 26% Raise taxes
• 56% Restructure government to spend only what we receive in revenue

4. Do you support limiting state spending to actual revenue in order to prevent future deficits?

• 83% Yes
• 17% No

5. Should Minnesota require voters to present photo ID at the polls?

• 81% Yes
• 19% No

6. Should we reconsider the ban on smoking in Minnesota bars?

• 73% No, leave the ban in place
• 17% Modifications should be considered
• 10% Repeal the ban altogether

7. Should the state provide any funding for the construction of a new Minnesota Vikings stadium?

• 42% Yes
• 58% No

8. If you answered “Yes” in the previous question, what funding option do you favor most?

• 9% Statewide sales tax
• 3% Local sales tax
• 42% User tax applied specifically to goods and services purchased by football fans
• 33% Authorize casino gambling and use those proceeds
• 12% Transfer Minneapolis Convention Center tax revenue once that facility debt is paid

* Some respondents entered “No. 1” multiple times, pushing the total past 100 percent.

9. Should Minnesota consider nuclear power as an option for meeting future energy needs?

• 36% Strongly support
• 33% Support
• 9% Oppose
• 9% Strongly oppose
• 13% Not sure