Dear Cory,

Our worst fears are coming true - Vikings to Los Angeles. It’s no longer if, it’s when. The team’s chances of moving to California snowballed out of control this week when Rep Joyce Peppin (R-Rogers) and the Democrats of her committee voted down the stadium bill in the House. We need you to know, and to act.

Since their bill was voted down, the Vikings have responded by telling the legislature that “We have no plans of coming back next year. There is only this year,” said VP of Public Affairs Lester Bagley. “We have done everything asked of us by the Legislature. What more can we do?”

Bagley summarized the Legislatures reluctance to put the stadium bill to a vote on the House and Senate floor as, “a mistake if they think the Vikings will settle for status quo and continue to play in the Metrodome.”

Since then the NFL and its executive team including Commissioner Roger Goodell have responded by contacting Governor Mark Dayton and planning a visit to St. Paul, MN today to hear from state leaders whether they will put this to a vote or not. And in the words of NFL EVP Eric Grubman, “a no vote is a vote no.”

Meanwhile Zygi Wilf’s plane is parked in Los Angeles, CAas rumors swirl that the owner and league officials have been meeting with the Mayor of Los Angeles. Compounding the issue, multiple sources are reporting that today Art Rooney and NFL officials will waive the relocation deadline from Feb 15^th, 2012. This means that if the Legislature get’s through the session without a vote, the Vikings can now file for relocation at any time.

If the Vikings are to stay in Minnesota, there is only one remaining path, and it leads through the Senate.

Today, the Democrats (who have been getting railed by the Unions and Organized Labor after mustering only one vote in the House) are apparently poised to undo what they had done on Monday night by delivering the votes needed in the Senate Local Government and Elections Committee. If the stadium bill can get out of the Senate Committee alive it has to pass through the Taxes Committee which will earn it a vote on the Senate floor.

If the bill passes on the Senate floor, state leaders can then flip the bill over to the House, reviving the Vikings chances there where Rep. John Kriesel (R-Cottage Grove) has continued to move his charitable gaming bill forward. It is largely thought that revenues from ePull Tabs would be used to help out the charities and finance the states portion of the stadium.

In order for this to happen, Vikings fans need to be vocal and engaged with state leaders. Fans can contact their lawmakers by clicking here.

In addition, Vikings fans need to contact members of the Senate Local Government and Elections Committee today, telling them it’s “Now or Never” to keep the Vikings in Minnesota. Remind them that we will “Remember in November” if they fail to pass the Vikings stadium bill.

 Sen. Ray Vandeveer   651.296.4351         
Email:    sen.ray.vandeveer@senate.mn                              

                                               Sen. Katie Sieben   651.297.8060               
Email:    sen.katie.sieben@senate.mn                                                   

                                               Sen. Kenneth S. Kelash  651.297.8061     
Email:    sen.kenneth.kalash@senate.mn                             

                                               Sen. Warren Limmer  651.296.2159         
Email:    sen.warren.limmer@senate.mn                                                              

 Sen. Carla J. Nelson  651.296.4848            
Email:    Sen. Carla.Nelson@senate.mn                 
Twitter: @SenCarlaNelson                                                           

                                               Sen. John C. Pederson  651.296.6455      
Email:    sen.john.pederson@senate.mn                              
Twitter:  @SenJohnPederson      

                                               Sen. Chris A. Eaton 651.296.8869              
Email:    Form                    

                                                               Sen. Roger C. Chamberlain                                         
Email:    sen.roger.chamberlain@senate.mn                       
Phone:651.296.1253                     

                                               Sen. John M. Harrington  651.296.5285  
Email:    sen.john.harrington@senate.mn                            
Twitter:  @VoteHarrington                           

                                               Sen. Benjamin A. Kruse  651.296.4154    
Email:    sen.benjamin.Kruse@senate.mn                            
Twitter: @SenatorKruse  

                                                                                   Sen. Mary Jo McGuire  651.296.5537      
Email:    Form                    
Twitter: @maryjo_mcguire                         

                                               Sen. Claire Robling 651.296.4123               
Email:    sen.claire.robling@senate.mn                                  

                                               Sen Roger J. Reinert   651.296.4188         
Email:    sen.roger.reinert@senate.mn                  

                                               Sen. Pam Wolf  651.296.2556     
Email:    sen.pam.wolf@senate.mn                         
Twitter: @pamwolf4senate

Please act today and encourage your friends and family to do the same!

Sincerely,

Cory Merrifield
Founder/Fan Advocate
SavetheVikes.org