The bill passed the committee by an 11-8 vote. Its major supporters in the House include the assistant majority floor leader, Jim Foley, D-St. Louis County, and Republican leader Catherine Hanaway, R-St. Louis County. But even with support of those leaders, most House members say the bill is about 30 votes short of passage.
Negotiators rejected an amendment by Rep. Jim Foley, D-St. Louis County, to raise the percentage of gambling revenue that the state collects, raising $42 million. An earlier proposal to raise gambling taxes was defeated Monday.
The House stadium bill is 41st on the House perfection calendar. The bill, sponsored by Rep. Jim Foley, D-St. Louis County, would allow state funding for the Cardinal's stadium with bond issue money.
"We have a responsibility in my opinion to balance this budget," said Rep. Jim Foley, D-St. Louis County. "Let's send it over to the Senate as a balanced budget."
Rep. Catherine Hanaway, R-St. Louis County and Republican Floor Leader in the House, and Rep. Jim Foley, D-St. Louis County, are leading the legislative fight for state tax money.