MINN. GOVERNOR SUGGESTS STATE HELP FOR TARGET CENTER

     MN Gov. Arne Carlson Monday told legislative leaders that
"if Minneapolis cannot solve the Target Center financing puzzle
on its own, he wants the state to step in and double its
financial commitment."  Carlson outlined a plan to increase the
state's commitment from $750,000 a year for 15 years to 750,000
for 30 years.  That would leave the state with a total commitment
of $22.5M.  The Minneapolis City Council is expected to submit a
new finance plan to Glen Taylor by today.  Taylor is attempting
to buy the Wolves, but the deal hinges on the buyout of the
Target Center.  In addition to state help, the possibility of a
loan from the Metropolitan Sports Facilities Commission to the
city of Minneapolis has been mentioned.  MSFC Chair Henry
Savelkoul says the legislature must act quickly because of the
NBA's March 1 deadline to allow teams to relocate.  Savelkoul: "I
can't see this going on for very long. ...The NBA isn't going to
sit by" (Whereatt, McGrath & Weiner, Minneapolis STAR-TRIBUNE,
1/24).