Editorial: Wanted: leadership at MN Capitol

09/29/2005

Star Tribune
September 29, 2005

It’s a fantasy, we know, but it’s wondrous to imagine a governor who actually leads a reluctant state into doing something that’s difficult now but clearly in its long-term best interest. And that’s to finally approve the Twins and Gophers stadiums.

Minnesotans have yet to hear Gov. Tim Pawlenty thank and congratulate the Twins and a bipartisan Hennepin County Board for doing precisely what he asked. They produced a ballpark plan that costs the state nothing—and may actually add $10 million a year to the state’s general fund from parking and other game-day revenues.

Neither have Minnesotans heard of the governor’s gratitude toward university alums and corporate sponsors for stepping forward to cover most of the cost of moving Gophers football back to campus.

Both of these projects are within the market parameters set by other communities across the country. Both protect significant Minnesota assets—teams that are important to the state’s cultural fabric, spirit and competitive edge. Anyone who follows sports nationally knows that the Metrodome has been obsolete for 15 years, both aesthetically and financially. Minnesota will not be a better place if these teams continue to slide or, in the Twins’ case, vanish.

Instead of these appreciations, what Minnesotans got from Pawlenty Tuesday was a lukewarm invitation to a special session and a long menu of items with no recommendations. The governor seemed only to shrug. “I’m not more or less inclined than I was before, but I’m open to considering it,” he said, as hopes for a solution dimmed. Apparently that’s what passes for boldness from a governor who courageously vowed in 2004 to solve the stadiums challenge on his watch.

Happily, the leadership vacuum has been filled by House Speaker Steve Sviggum and Senate Majority Leader Dean Johnson, who favor a one-day session to pass the Twins and Gophers projects—and nothing more. That’s a good outline.

Pawlenty, too, was wise to propose in his letter a limited engagement (two days) and a tight list of pre-agreements in order to prevent a replay of last spring’s chaos. But in a curious twist, the governor interjected extra options for the Twins-Hennepin plan (but not for the Vikings or Gophers). One is a referendum, the other an invitation for other local governments to again compete for the Twins.

These political paybacks and maneuvers don’t serve the state well. What’s needed is a mature and sincere commitment on all sides to clear the decks on stadium issues—first the Twins and Gophers in a special session, then the Vikings next year. If the intent is to wave goodbye to the Twins now and the Vikings later, then the governor and key legislators should have the courage to say so. If not, they should scrape together a few hours this fall to invest in Minnesota’s quality of life and competitive future.