26DayState Sen. Dick Day (R-Owatonna) announced he’ll be stepping down to become the head of Racino Now, a group lobbying legislators to get slot and video games approved at Canterbury Park and Running Aces racetracks. (The URL RacinoNow.com is owned by Canterbury Park.) But he tells the Star Tribune his plans will also involve a new Vikings stadium.

Day, who served as Senate Minority leader from 1997 to 2007, tells the Strib that racinos could help fund a new stadium, bringing in $125 million a year.

According to the Savage Pacer, he sees such racetrack/casinos as an answer to the state’s budget problems as well.

“Racinos will bring thousands of jobs and $250 million a biennium in revenue to our state,” he said. “The money could be used for programs such as education, transportation, health care or to fund a stadium. With the recent news of a $1.2 billion budget shortfall, it’s clear we need racino now.”

Common Cause Minnesota reacted quickly with a statement, noting that Day’s immediate registration as a lobbyist suggests the state should implement a two-year waiting period before departing legislators register as lobbyists. Day is the second Minnesota legislator in as many years to leave office for such a reason; in June 2008, DFL Sen. Dan Larson stepped down to join a law and lobbying firm in Minneapolis.

“When a legislator leaves office to become a lobbyists it only further erodes the public’s trust in their elected officials,” said Mike Dean, Common Cause Minnesota’s executive director. “The public is growing suspicious of elected officials who may use his or her government position to line up a future job by currying favor with special interests. The mere perception of impropriety underlying this type of behavior is detrimental to the public’s faith in government.”

Day’s resignation takes effect on Jan. 8.

Update: Sen. John Marty, who authored the Senate’s “Revolving Door” legislation, issued a statement Tuesday. “Most states recognize this conflict of interest and its potential to further erode public trust, and have already shut the revolving door,” the Roseville DFLer said. “It is time for Minnesota to do the same.”