ST. PAUL (AP) - After falling short last year, the Mall of America's operators are renewing their push for state legislation that would help clear the way for a massive expansion.
Mall executives and labor union officials made their case Wednesday to the Senate Taxes Committee, which took no action. A bill in front of the Legislature would capture property tax dollars from the mall's Bloomington site and use it to pay for roads, sewers and parking needed for the project.
Committee Chairman Tom Bakk says he is working on a revised plan. He says he could present it as soon as Thursday as an amendment to a bigger tax bill heading toward a Senate vote.
Mall executive Maureen Bausch says the shopping center needs to grow to keep attracting tourists. Plans call for an expansion of more than 5 million square feet.
