Slim chances for new Twins stadium in 2005

From the Seats, December 2, 2004

MINNEAPOLIS - The Star Tribune is reporting the state of Minnesota will have a $700 million budget deficit to deal with for the upcoming two year budget cycle.

What does that mean? The state will start to cut the bone now. We have cut the fat, meat and now we have reached bone. With that I am sure a new Twins stadium will not be on top of the list.

Of course if the legislation gets a single thing passed this year they are one step ahead of last year.

Tim Pawlenty has said he will not raise taxes to get the money. Instead funding to schools will be cut even more, if that is possible, and things such as a Twins stadium wont get any money anytime soon.

What does that mean for the Twins? I don't think it is good at all. We know the Twins have a lease for the Dome through 2006. That might be it, they could be done in Minnesota after that.

With the Twins winning their division the past three years and being in first for most of that time it appears by attendance numbers fans have not noticed. Although I think that is not true since TV ratings are up. There are Twins fans out there, and I am sure they would be more willing to go to a game if it were outdoors.

But no one wants to pay for a new stadium. Pohlad doesn't want to anti up the money, the state doesn't have any to give up, and if they did I don't think a new stadium would be the best way to spend it right now. And the fans don't want to pay more for seats, and surrounding businesses don't want to pay taxes for it.

Ahhh, good 'ol Minnesotans, we want it all but don't want to pay for it. I think we need to look very seriously at the next two years being the Twins last in Minnesota. I hate to look at it this way, but don't think it is too unrealistic.

Hope for the best, prepare for the worst.