State revenues were up 8.4 percent last month, compared to figures for July of 2002. But, State Budget Director Linda Luebbering says the news is not as rosy as it seems. She says when you account for some tax refund expenditures the state had last month, the growth is only about one-fourth of what it seems. Luebbering says that would put the revenue projections closer to Governor Bob Holden’s projected two percent growth, and still justifies the $240-Million of withholdings he has had to make to balance the budget.
Tomko Earns First Busch Win
August 8, 2003 By
Brett Tomko finally got a win at home and it was impressive. Tomko lasted eight innings, holding the Marlins to four hits, no runs, a walk and he recorded five strikeouts in a 3-0 victory. In the ten starts leading up to last night’s game, Tomko had a record of 0-4 at Busch Stadium. Last night’s performance upped his record to 8-7 overall and earned him a standing ovation from the 31,002 fans in attendance. Jason Isringhausen gave up a walk in the ninth inning but struck out two batters to get his ninth save of the season. At the plate, Albert Pujols got things going with an RBI double in the first inning to extend his hitting streak to 21 games. He also reached the100 RBI and 100 run plateau and joined Jose Canseco as the only other player in major league history to hit 30 home runs and drive in 100 runs in his first three seasons. The Cards trail the Astros by two games. The Cubs trail by a game and a half.
Blues Sign Demitra
August 8, 2003 By
The Blues had until 4 o’clock Thursday afternoon to sign center Pavol Demitra, even though it would push their payroll past the team’s self-imposed limits. Earlier in the week Demitra was offered a raise from just under $4-million to $6.50-million by an arbitrator. The payroll for the 2003-2004 season is now $58.25 million which is over what they expected to spend. Last season the Blues paid out over $60-million in salaries. Demitra led the team in points last season with 93. They open up training camp on September 15.
Royals Blow Late Lead To D’Rays
August 8, 2003 By
The Royals collapsed in Tampa last night. They had a 2-0 lead in the ninth, when the Devil Rays took advantage of a Carlos Febles error and belted three hits to walk off with a 3-2 win. Mike MacDougal gave up a two-run triple to Al Martin to tie the game at 2-2 and Julio Lugo ended it with a single to drive in Martin. The meltdown ruined a great performance from the three previous Royal pitchers. Starter Darrell May allowed four hits and no runs in six innings of work. May also struck out six and walked one. Jason Grimsley and Curtis Leskanic pitched an inning apiece; both allowed a walk but didn’t’ give up any hits or runs. Grimsley struck out the side in the seventh inning. The Royals scored their runs in the fourth inning when Ken Harvey drove in a run with a double and Angel Berroa belted an RBI single. With the White Sox idle, the Royals lead in the A.L. Central dropped to just a half game.
Weather Service At Lambert Field Dropped
August 8, 2003 By
Lambert-St. Louis Airport has fired its weatherman because he was wrong too often. Actually, it’s a weather company. Lambert says Surface Systems of Maryland Heights has missed on its winter storm notices too often lately. A Shawnee, Kansas, company – Weather Or Not – will take over on September 1st. Surface Systems is a major forecasting company. It handles weather forecasts for 45 state transportation departments. It has worked for Lambert for about 30 years.
