Senate votes to send stadium funding legislation to House

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. -- The greatest irony of the Senate's lengthy and sometimes bitter battle to pass a $644 million stadium funding package that includes money for a new St. Louis Cardinals ballpark, Senate President Pro Tem Peter Kinder said, was that a lawmaker from Cape Girardeau led the charge.

"The irony of a senator from outstate Missouri championing a cause that has divided the St. Louis delegation speaks for itself," Kinder said moments before the Senate voted Tuesday to send the proposal to the House of Representatives.

Kinder, a Republican, acknowledged that his leadership on the stadium bill has not been popular in Southeast Missouri, though he predicted people throughout the state will support the measure once they learn more about it.

However, some area House members said there is little good to be found in the proposal. Most members of the area's House delegation have openly opposed the bill.

"I don't think there is anything they could do that could possibly change my mind on it, save a statewide vote, which would kill the bill so that is moot," said state Rep. Mark Richardson, R-Poplar Bluff.

The Senate rejected a provision to put the proposal on the ballot.

Passing a bill in the House requires 82 votes. State Rep. Phillip Britt, D-Kennett, said some stadium proponents have estimated current House support at around 60 votes.

"I think they would be hard-pressed to get that many," Britt said. "I can't think of anything that would make me vote for it."

The Senate spent three hours debating Kinder's bill on Tuesday before narrowly passing it 19-14, with only one vote more than the required 18.

Tuesday's discussion changed no minds on the contentious issue, with no senators switching sides from Thursday, when they gave the measure preliminary approval following 17 hours of debate over two days.

Supporters of the bill, which also includes projects for Branson, Kansas City and Springfield, say it would spur economic development, thus giving a sorely needed boost to sagging state revenue. Opponents deride it as corporate welfare that will fail to deliver taxpayers a reasonable return on their investment.

State Sen. Danny Staples, D-Eminence, said the Cardinals would make good on threats to move to Illinois if the bill isn't approved. Staples said Missouri can't afford to lose the jobs and revenue the team generates for the state.

"With what it brings back into the state to stimulate the economy, it is well worthwhile and a good investment," said Staples, whose district includes Southeast Missouri.

State Sen. Bill Foster, R-Poplar Bluff, was the only area senator to vote against the bill. He said opposition in his Bootheel district is running at about 80 percent.

"I don't disagree with the concept of a stimulus package," Foster said. "But if we are going to stimulate the economy in Missouri, I think we can do something more worthwhile for society."

Foster said building housing for low- to middle-income Missourians would create construction jobs and spur the economy while benefiting those who need it rather than the Cardinals' billionaire owners.

A $346 million retro-style ballpark to replace Busch Memorial Stadium as home of the Cardinals is the centerpiece of the stadium package.

The publicly owned facility would cost the state $7 million year -- $210 million total over 30 years -- to retire $100 million in state-issued bonds that would finance the project. The team has pledged $120 million in cash and land. Taxpayers in St. Louis city and county would also contribute.

Wishful thinking

The state's funding for all the projects in the measure is expected to come from the new revenue they would generate. Opponents say that is wishful thinking, especially when the state is currently struggling to pay its bills.

"This is not a time to be undertaking a commitment of $600 million in tax revenue on these projects when it doesn't even look like we will break even on them until 2013," said state Sen. Sarah Steelman, R-Rolla.

Others to benefit

Other projects include $294 million over 30 years to renovate Kaufmann and Arrowhead stadiums in Kansas City; $32 million for a convention center and arena in Branson plus $18 million for a Springfield convention center, both funded over 23 years; and $3 million a year in perpetuity to the St. Louis Blues hockey club for maintenance of the Savvis Center.

The Blues would have to renovate the adjacent Kiel Opera House and bring a National Basketball Association franchise to St. Louis to receive the full amount.

The state auditor would annually review each project in the bill to certify that the state is getting the promised return on its investment. If not, state funding could be withheld.

But the toughest provisions intended to protect taxpayers apply only to the Cardinals.

The team would be required to reimburse the state for shortfalls if the promised economic benefits fail to materialize and also make up revenue lost due to a work stoppage in Major League Baseball.

The team would have to pay up to $100 million for failing to build Ballpark Village, a promised companion development featuring retail, commercial and entertainment components. If the project isn't mostly completed by 2010, the team would have to pay $35 million up front and the remainder over time if the village still isn't finished.

Another key change would force team owners to share 12 percent of the profit from a total or partial sale of the Cardinals over the entire 30-year period the state is committed to the project.

Kinder is confident there is plenty of time to get the bill to Gov. Bob Holden for his signature, but the General Assembly's required May 17 adjournment deadline is looming.

With only eight working days remaining, the bill still has to clear a House committee and then the full chamber. If the House makes changes, which is almost certain, negotiators would have to work out the differences and send the measure back to both chambers for final votes.

The bill is SB 1279.

mpowers@semissourian.com

(573) 635-4608