Stadium funding bill sparks opposing rallies at Capitol

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. -- The St. Louis Cardinals brought some star power to the Capitol on Monday while opponents of state aid for a new ballpark for the team said they would try to force statewide votes on any future stadium proposals.

With lawmakers poised this week to debate legislation on state funding for stadiums, both supporters and opponents are rallying their troops.

A Senate-passed bill now awaiting House debate would authorize $210 million in state subsidies over 30 years for a Cardinals stadium. Another $294 million would go to renovate the stadiums for the Kansas City Chiefs and Royals.

The bill also includes money for the Savvis Center in St. Louis and for developments in Branson and Springfield.

Lawmakers have until adjournment on Friday to accept or reject the proposal.

More than 100 Cardinals supporters, including Hall of Famer Lou Brock, rallied in the Capitol Rotunda in support of the bill.

Initiative petition

Meanwhile, two opponents -- Rep. Jim Murphy and the Rev. Larry Rice -- are backing an initiative petition effort for the August 2004 ballot that would require a statewide vote before state money would go to stadiums.

But Murphy and Rice were told state law prohibits the submission of the proposed ballot measure until after this November's elections.

"I think it's highly questionable," said Rice, a longtime stadium opponent who runs the New Life Evangelistic Center in New Bloomfield. "I would like our lawyers to discuss this."

Betsy Byers, co-director of the state elections division, gave Rice and Murphy copies of a 1991 Missouri Supreme Court decision upholding state law on submission of ballot language.

Murphy, R-Crestwood, said even with a later submission, there would be plenty of time to gather signatures to get the measure on the 2004 ballot.

Cardinals president Mark Lamping said in an interview that supporters of this year's legislation have a tough task, given the state's budget crisis and the reluctance of some lawmakers to back the plan.

"This budget situation has provided a difficult political backdrop," Lamping said.

"But the reality is, if you're faced with tough budget times and it's due to a difficult state economy, to not take action to encourage economic development ... will end up being shortsighted."