Mayo Clinic, state officials seek funding Plan B

ROCHESTER, Minn. (AP) — Mayo Clinic officials are working with lawmakers to come up with a Plan B for funding its Destination Medical Center proposal amid criticism about the current financing plan.

Mayo's request for more than $500 million in state support has run into opposition. Critics include House Taxes Committee Chairwoman Ann Lenczewski (len-CHESS'-key), who's worried about setting a precedent by using some of the sales and income taxes generated by the clinic to fund public infrastructure — something the state hasn't done before.

The bill's House author, Kim Norton, tells the Post-Bulletin of Rochesterthat Lenczewski has asked her to work with Mayo Clinic officials, lawmakers and state staffers to come up with alternative funding options. Norton says she's doing that, and that she remains optimistic the bill can pass.

Copyright 2013 The Associated Press.