Gopher Football
By an overwhelming 73-vote margin, a 50% state contribution to the total cost of proposed Gopher football stadium was approved on the floor of the State House of Representatives. Also very encouraging was the fact that no amendments not supported by the U of Minnesota were added to the bill.
This is the first time a Gopher stadium bill has reached the floor of the House or Senate. A companion bill must get through one more committee before it reaches the Senate floor for a vote, where it is expected to pass.
Assuming there are no major differences in the bills, the remaining process of working out the differences, voting on the unified bill and the signing of the bill into law by the Governor would be a mere formality.
Passage of the bill this year will allow immediate construction of the stadium and a projected opening for the 2009 football season.