Bill allowing alcohol sales at TCF Stadium up for vote

A bill that allows the University of Minnesota to sell beer and other alcoholic beverages in premium seating areas of TCF Bank Stadium is headed for a vote in the Minnesota Senate.

The Senate Finance Committee endorsed the measure today on a voice vote. It would reverse a law passed last year that required the university to serve alcohol throughout the entire stadium or not at all. U of M officials opted for a total ban. Sen. Sandy Pappas, DFL-St. Paul, called the law ill advised. Pappas told committee members that the university lost more than $1 million in potential alcohol sales last year.

"They also had to discount their suites and their premium suites. So, there's a lot of competition for the suites and the premium seats, and especially more so now with the Twins opening their new stadium," she said.

The bill requires the university to use the profits from alcohol sales to fund athletic scholarships.

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