No Vote on Twins’ Stadium Bill

Minnesota Senate leaders on Thursday night scrapped a plan to vote on a bill to build a new ballpark for the Twins, instead unanimously approving a non-binding resolution saying the state wants to keep the team.

Sen. Roy Terwilliger was the sponsor of the bill that would have built a riverfront ballpark in Minneapolis using fees derived from the facility such as team rent, a game-day parking tax and a surcharge on player income taxes.

“I think we had the votes” to pass it, Terwilliger said.

But he said he didn’t want to take up valuable floor time on the final day of the legislative session. Instead, he offered a resolution, which carries no force of law, stating that the Twins are important and the state wants to keep them without building a publicly financed ballpark.

Some lawmakers were angered that no vote was taken.

“I think it’s a very sad day for the Minnesota Senate,” Sen. Steve Novak said. He said there was “no conceivable explanation” for not voting on a bill.

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Toronto’s Roger Clemens, who removed himself from his last start after only seven pitches because of tightness in his groin, did some light throwing Thursday and continued receiving treatment on his injured groin.

He is scheduled to throw off a mound today in Texas and will be reevaluated to determine if he will stay in the rotation for his next scheduled start Sunday.

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Mike Kelly, who started in left field for the Tampa Bay Devil Rays on opening day but has not played since because of a groin strain, was put on the 15-day disabled list and replaced by Jerome Walton.