Oppose more money for stadiums

To the editor:

The media remind us daily of our state's critical money crisis affecting essential services. Yet the House Urban Issues Committee recently voted in favor of Senate Bill 269, a bill that would allocate an additional anticipated $30 million to professional stadiums in both Kansas City and St. Louis along with other special interests.

May I remind Missouri legislators that we taxpayers are already paying $12 million for the Edward Jones Dome in St. Louis and another $3 million toward the Kansas City stadiums. Certainly they are aware that we taxpayers already owe a whopping $33 million debt on the University of Missouri basketball arena. Further, they must know that our state has given yet another $30 million in tax credits to the Cardinals. Finally, if that isn't enough, the Missouri Department of Transportation is spending an additional $12 million to relocate U.S. 40 to accommodate the new Cardinals stadium.

The Missouri Senate already has approved this so-called Christmas gift. Now, since the House committee voted to recommend passage, all House members will vote on it.

Time is short. I encourage each of you to contact your representative, asking him or her to vote no on SB 269. It's time that we get our priorities straight.

TONY HIESBERGER, Jefferson City, Mo.