Missouri Rep. draws a faint line between spectatorship and lawmaking

Intro: A Missouri State Representative has a difficult time separating his lawmaking from his sports allegiances. With more from Jefferson City, here is Blair Miller. RunTime:0:42
OutCue: SOC

Barnhart Democrat Jeff Roorda filed a bill to end tax credits for all pro sports teams on the same day he skipped the House session and paid the St. Louis Cardinals to attend their opening day ballgame.

Roorda says he hopes the bill will pressure teams like the Cardinals to enforce a minimum one year ban for a player's first steroid offense.

Actuality: ROORDA2.WAV

Run Time: 00:17

Description: It's one thing for me as a fan to want to enjoy the sport that i grew up with but it's another thing for us as a state legislature to underwrite what has become Major League Baseball turning a blind eye to a really heinous problem that they have.

The MLB last changed its policy in 2005.

From Jefferson City, I'm Blair Miller, KMOX News.

Intro: A Missouri lawmaker wants a brighter future for America's Pastime. With more from Jefferson City, here is Blair Miller.

RunTime:0:41
OutCue: SOC

Barnhart Democratic Representative Jeff Roorda filed a bill that would end tax credits for pro sports teams that don't beef up their steroid policies.

The bill calls for all professional sports teams to impose a minimum one-year ban on first time steroid offenders.

Roorda says players' steroid use has tainted the image of Major League Baseball, and that teams need to do more.

Actuality: ROORDA1.WAV

Run Time: 00:08

Description: It doesn't matter what you do; if you're not suspending these guys for a significant amount of time the first time they test positive for steroids, then you're sending the wrong signal.

Roorda was not in the House session to present the bill, however, as he was at Busch Stadium for the Cardinals' opening day game.

From Jefferson City, I'm Blair Miller, KMOX News.

Intro: A Missouri lawmaker calls for stricter steroid penalties in professional sports. With more from Jefferson City, here is Blair Miller. RunTime:0:38
OutCue: SOC

Barnhart Democratic Representative Jeff Roorda filed a bill that would end tax credits for pro sports teams until they beefed up their steroid policies.

He did skip the House session in which he could have presented the bill, however, in favor of seats for Opening Day at Busch Stadium.

The bill would impose a minimum one-year ban for first time steroid offenders.

Actuality: ROORDA3.WAV

Run Time: 00:09

Description: I think it's about time they have some pressure put on them. Major League Baseball has been a willing accomplice in this whole steroid scandal.

While the bill focuses on baseball, Roorda said it would apply to all professional sports.

From Jefferson City, I'm Blair Miller, KMOX News.