Gov. Dayton and John Ward are boosting the fact that they raised taxes on the "rich." They took millions of dollars from Minnesota residents then turned around and gave $500 million to multibillionaire nonresident Zygi Wilf to build a fancy new stadium for his millionaire football players, most of them are not Minnesota residents to bask in the comfort of while playing their game. Now you might say that the stadium is a good thing for Minnesota, but the reality is it is really a good thing for Zigi. It's been reported that with the seat licensing fees and naming rights Mr. Wilf's out pocket of cost is only $75 million. It's also been reported that the value of the Vikings team will increase $400 million when the stadium is done. That's a $325 million profit for Zygi and his nonresident partners. Our politicians did not do due diligence when agreeing to that contract.
They also delayed the oil pipeline, citing the magic word "environmental concerns," but what is the real reason, I'll let you decide. In 2012 Warren Buffett gave $10 million to the Democrats to aid their campaigns. What's the connection? So happens the Buffett owns the rail lines that carry all the oil through Minnesota. At $30 a barrel shipping charge he is getting about a billion dollars a year profit. It will cost $10 a barrel to send it through the pipeline. Yes, we are paying for that extra $20 shipping cost at the pump.
Donald Rother
Nisswa
