St. Paul - On December 1, Speaker Kurt Daudt was photographed in Star Tribune, Timberwolves and Lynx owner Glen Taylor's USBank Stadium Suite at a Vikings game. House Republican Executive Director Ben Golnik was also present. When questioned, they said they paid $176 for the tickets. Market value for US Bank Stadium suite tickets is likely much higher.
Rep. Mike Nelson, the DFL-lead on the committee for Government Operations and Elections Policy, released the following statement:
“Minnesotans have raised legitimate concerns about the use of stadium suites by members of the Minnesota Sports Facilities Authority (MSFA) for their friends and family, and as we learned earlier today, the concerns are being responded to in a responsible way. Friends and family are no longer allowed in the suites.”
“The part of the conversation that is missing is that nothing’s being done about Speaker Daudt’s appearance in Glen Taylor’s suite for an extreme discount. Speaker Daudt should have to answer the same questions regarding what kind of special deal he received for seats at US Bank stadium. Minnesotans deserve answers.”
Taylor owns or has invested in three companies that are registered as "associations" with the Minnesota Campaign Finance Board (CFB): the Star Tribune, the Timberwolves, and the United FC soccer team. The CFB previously released an advisory opinion saying that an official cannot use a lobbyist principal’s seats at an athletic event even if the official pays for the ticket unless the public would be available to purchase the ticket on the same terms.
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