ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) — Minnesota senators won't pull back from public assistance offerings for the 2018 Super Bowl in Minnesota.

In a pair of votes Monday, the Senate rejected attempts to bar use of public dollars toward football's premier event and to repeal a sales tax exemption on Super Bowl tickets. The exemption was on the books since Minnesota hosted the 1992 game.

A tax bill advancing at the Capitol lets the Minnesota Sports Facilities Authority reroute $2.7 million to cover some game-related costs.

In trying to undo the ticket tax exemption, Democratic Sen. John Marty said people paying an average of $2,500 per ticket can afford sales tax.

Senate Majority Leader Tom Bakk, a fellow Democrat, said it was about keeping the state's promise contained in a successful bid to land the game.

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