“I’ve told them that I understand the importance of the whole complex, the arena, the convention center, Roy Wilkins [auditorium],” she said. “I’m happy to help them, I just can’t help them in the bonding bill. … We don’t have any cash, either.”

Pappas said she encouraged them to figure out another funding source. “I suggested off the top of my head a surcharge on tickets,” Pappas said.

Sen. Karin Housley, R-Stillwater, expressed similar concerns for the GOP. “We support our sports teams and the events and economy they bring to our state, but we’re facing a deficit and many other requests from state-owned properties,” she said. “We will have to prioritize traditional general obligation bonds on those needs first.”

Both she and Pappas talked about the need to focus on billions in deferred maintenance on roads, bridges and water treatment.

At Target Center, the Timberwolves and the Lynx are day-to-day as they wait to hear whether longtime owner Glen Taylor will keep the team or has sold it to Marc Lore and Alex Rodriguez. Taylor also owns the Minnesota Star Tribune.

Two issues at Target Center hinder revenue and make the fan experience less than ideal. The building has among the lowest number of premium seats in the league. Also, Target Center was the last NBA facility to be designed with more seats in the upper bowl than the lower bowl. The concourses are narrow with no communal spaces and limited visual connection to the court.