Bonds For New St. Louis Stadium Opposed by Budget Leader

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (AP) — A Missouri lawmaker who helps develop the state budget has vowed to block efforts to make payments on proposed bonds to build a new St. Louis football stadium.

Republican Rep. Scott Fitzpatrick of Shell Knob wrote to Democratic Gov. Jay Nixon this past week that the Legislature or voters should first vote on whether to issue bonds.

Fitzpatrick is the vice chairman of the top House budget committee.

Nixon appointed a two-man task force to lead a St. Louis stadium effort to counter an attempt by Rams owner Stan Kroenke (KRON’-key) to move the team to a new stadium in the Los Angeles area.

Fitzpatrick is one of at least five lawmakers who have pledged to oppose bills that include payments on debt incurred for a new stadium.