Top Minnesota lawmaker throws ice on St. Paul's arena funding ask

"The days of large state expenditures for professional sports is probably over. The Minnesota Vikings at the U.S. Bank Stadium is probably the last time you're going to see that for a while due to fiscal conservatives on the Republican side and social progressives on the Democratic side."

The former speaker said she told St. Paul and the Wild to look to the sales tax funding mechanism that was used to rebuild Target Field.

State of play: Hortman's comments came as DFL leaders discussed their recently released joint budget targets with House Republicans.

• The politically divided House, DFL-majority Senate and Gov. Tim Walz are all calling for cuts to future spending, though their approaches differ.

What we're watching: Walz meets with separately with legislative leaders and St. Paul Mayor Melvin Carter today.

Go deeper: St. Paul, Wild pitch Xcel Energy Center makeover