A Minnesota Senate committee today (Thurs) discussed but did not vote on a bill that would give sales and property tax breaks to developers of a major league soccer stadium in Saint Paul. Mayor Chris Coleman calls it one of the greatest opportunities for the city in a long time. He says “this is a deal unlike any other that we have seen, because the team is paying for all the costs of the construction of the stadium.” But former city council candidate Tom Goldstein says when he was out door-knocking, 90 percent were opposed to the stadium and its funding. Goldstein told lawmakers, “We have a city, and in particular a mayor, with a stadium addiction, and the state needs to stop enabling him.” Lead promoter, Doctor Bill McGuire told lawmakers without the tax breaks, “it would be very problematic and a high possibility, if not probability, that the franchise would be lost.” Opponents say it’s another example of taxpayers subsidizing pro sports owners.