First Hearing Held on Revoking Rochester Sports Complex Funding

St. Paul, MN (KROC-AM News) - Legislation that would revoke the City of Rochester's authorization to use sales tax revenues to fund the construction of the city's new regional sports complex received its first hearing at the State Capitol today.

Bill Authored by Rochester Democrats

The measure was heard in the House Taxes Committee, which is co-chaired by Republican State Representative Greg Davids of Preston, who, along with Democratic State Representatives Kim Hicks, Andy Smith, and Tina Liebling of Rochester, is a co-author of the bill. Hicks testified in support of the legislation, while Rochester City Council President Randy Schubring spoke in opposition.

Receptive Comments by Committee Members

The proposed bill was included in a long list of local sales tax proposals being considered for inclusion in the House omnibus tax bill that were heard today by the committee. While comments by members of the committee appeared receptive to the Rochester bill, every one of the proposals was “laid over” for further study after minimal discussion.

A companion bill in the Minnesota Senate, authored by Rochester State Senator Liz Boldon, has yet to receive a hearing.

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Bill Would Cancel Regional Sports Complex Funding

The bill would cancel the portion of the Rochester sales tax extension approved by voters in 2023 that directs $65 million to fund the construction of the sports complex. The sales tax extension would also provide funding for an economic vitality fund, street repair, and flood control, for a total of $205 million.

Under Construction

The Regional Sports Complex, which is being built in southeast Rochester, will feature baseball/softball diamonds and two rectangular multiuse sports fields. It will also include a dozen pickleball courts, an outdoor basketball court, along with a central concessions and restrooms building.

Lawmakers Claim Voters Were Misled

The bill put forward by the local Democratic lawmakers was introduced in February. In announcing the legislation, the lawmakers argued that the plans for the sports complex “serve a narrow set of special interests and ignore the community's need for indoor recreation space.” They also claimed that voters were misled when they approved the sales tax funding after cost estimates rose to around $120 million when an indoor facility was included in the plans.

The measure heard in the Taxes Committee would halt the collection of the portion of the sales tax for the sports complex on June 30. The revenues collected prior to that date would be allocated to the three other city initiatives approved for sales tax funding through the 2023 referendum.

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