MDN.ORG:
Missouri Digital News
MDN.ORG
Mo. Digital News
Missouri Digital News
MDN.ORG:
Mo. Digital News
MDN.ORG:
Missouri Digital News
MDN.ORG:
Missouri Digital News
MDN.ORG
Mo. Digital News
Missouri Digital News
MDN.ORG:
Mo. Digital News
MDN.ORG:
Missouri Digital News
Score one for the senate, and the St. Louis Cardinals.
I'm Matt Flener for the Missouri Capital Caucus.
The assembly put its stamp of approval on an economic development package for the Cardinals new stadium.
After 20 hours of debate over three days, Senator Peter Kinder finally muscled the bill through to the house.
But not before being attacked heavily on the issue.
Kinder's bill also calls for stadium rehab in Kansas City, a new convention center in Springfield, and a new arena and convention center in Branson.
Last week, the senate added 22 amendments to the bill, mostly aimed to penalize the Cardinals if plans for the stadium don't turn out.
The house is now up to bat and has two weeks left in the session to pass the measure and send it to the governor.
From Jefferson City, I'm Matt Flener
It's a victory in the Missouri Senate for the St. Louis Cardinals.
I'm Matt Flener, for the Missouri Capital Caucus.
After three days of debate, the Cardinals are one step closer to a new ballpark.
The legislature fought over Senator Peter Kinder's measure to give St. Louis 6-hundred forty-four million dollars over three decades.
A measure which Mexico Senator John Cauthorn highly opposed.
Cauthorn said the senate should focus on more pressing issues during the last two weeks of the session.
But Kinder said he thinks the bill helps the whole state regain economic footing.
The bill helps rehab Kansas City stadiums, and sets aside money for convention centers in Branson and Springfield.
This...all in a push to generate money for the state.
For the Missouri Capital Caucus, I'm Matt Flener.
The Missouri Senate hits a home run for the St. Louis Cardinals.
And don't forget Kansas City, Springfield, and Branson as well.
I'm Matt Flener for the Missouri Capitol Caucus.
They say it's "economic stimulus."
That's what supporters call the Cardinals proposed new stadium.
They also say it's a good motivation to rehab Kansas City's sports stadiums, and give Branson and Springfield new convention centers.
Those plans are all part of Senator Peter Kinder's bill to boost Missouri's bottom line with new sports and convention developments.
Kinder finally muscled the bill through the House after 20 hours of debate over 3 days.
Among the most heated issues - wheter or not the Cardinals could move to Illnois.
Kinder argued with Rolla Senator Sarah Steelman, saying Missouri could lose valuable tax dollars if the Cards move across the Mississippi.
Over the past week, Kinder has allowed 22 amendments to his bill, that basically penalize the Cardinals if they don't fulfill their end of the deal.
The Cardinals haven't publicly stated whether they are in support of the changes.
Also included in the bill is a measure to give $3 million dollars to help maintain the St. Louis Savvis Center.
Which didn't sit too well with Democratic Senator Wayne Goode.
In addition to the St. Louis arena, Kansas City would have the ability to redo Kaufmann and Arrowhead Stadiums
It would also give $50 million dollars to Springfield and Branson, so they could build new convention centers.
Kinder said his bill faced a tough passage, especially with the state's current budget crunch.
Kinder said even though he isn't from any of the areas mentioned in the proposal, he feels it necessary to pass the bill.
So the bill faces more scrutiny in the House during the last two weeks of the session.
Which will leave the Cardinals, the Savvis Center, Springfield, Branson, and Kansas City all pushing house members now, for more "economic stimulus."
In Jefferson City, I'm Matt Flener.