State revenue officials on Tuesday said a one-time tax on cigarette supplies generated more than $30.4 million, about $26.5 million of which is earmarked for the new Minnesota Vikings stadium, the Associated Press reports.
The tax was part of a backup plan – at one point earlier this year called a “secret plan” – to pay the state’s share of the cost of the gleaming, glassy new stadium. The tax was slapped on cigarettes already in warehouse stores prior to July 1 – an effort by state officials to curb stockpiling before a new July 1 tax took effect that raised cigarette prices by $1.60 per pack, the AP notes.
The tax was created as a quick way for the state to raise money to pay for its $348 million share of the $975 million stadium, to be built at the site of the Metrodome in downtown Minneapolis in time for the 2016 season.
The state’s original plan to help pay for the stadium with revenues generated by new electronic pull-tab gaming machines in bars and restaurants has not been the cash jackpot that officials projected.
Meanwhile, Minneapolis mayoral candidate Doug Mann on Tuesday sought the help of a Hennepin County judge in his effort to seek a public vote on the city of Minneapolis’ stadium cost share of $150 million, WCCO reported.
