House Republicans defend subsidizing luxury stadium suites over supporting victims of sex trafficking 

St. Paul, MN - Yesterday in the House Tax Committee, Rep. Heather Keeler (DFL - Moorhead) presented HF 4738. The bill would repeal the tax exemption for luxury seats at sporting events and direct those funds to the Minnesota Safe Harbor Program, which ensures young people who are sexually exploited are treated as victims and survivors, not criminals.

The funding mechanism was seen as a deal breaker for House Republican Tax Chair, Rep. Greg Davids (R - Preston).

“When most Minnesotans go to a Vikings game, the tickets for our seats are taxed. That’s not the case for the millionaires in the luxury suites, and that doesn’t sit right with me,” said Rep. Keeler. “Why are Minnesotans subsidizing the stadium suites for the wealthiest among us when we could direct those funds toward supporting our most vulnerable instead? And why is that such a non-starter for Republicans?”

Rising costs are stretching resources thin for the Minnesota Safe Harbor Program. The need continues to be high for these crucial supports, with the program facing a shortfall of about $11.46 million. Testifiers also highlighted the immense return on investment for funding this program, with every $1 of funding yielding $34 in societal benefit.

The bill was laid over for possible inclusion in the 2026 Tax Bill. Video of yesterday’s debate on the bill in the Tax Committee can be found here.

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