Vikings stay with suburban site despite tax block

ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) — The Minnesota Vikings aren't abandoning a suburban stadium site despite a tax setback delivered by state leaders.

Vikings vice president Lester Bagley says the team won't change course after an announcement Tuesday that lawmakers have all but ruled out allowing a local sales tax increase without a public referendum.

The sales tax was a key piece of a Ramsey County proposal to finance a stadium in Arden Hills.

Gov. Mark Dayton and legislative leaders say they lacked the votes to advance a sales tax initiative without letting voters to have a say at the ballot box. The Vikings oppose a referendum.

Minneapolis officials have three stadium sites in the mix, but Bagley says the team hasn't had formal discussions with the city since aligning with Ramsey County.

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