Senator Rob Schaaf (R-St. Joseph) cancelled a Senate committee vote Wednesday on a proposal to prohibit Governor Jay Nixon from spending state funds to build a new St. Louis football stadium without the blessing of the Legislature or the people. That came after the NFL voted to let the Rams move to Los Angeles.
“We are not done. We still need to clarify once and for all that this executive overreach can’t happen. We just don’t have to do it today,” said Schaaf.
Governor Jay Nixon (D) and Sen. Rob Schaaf (R)
Governor Nixon contends that a vote of the people isn’t required to extend the bonds.
Some St. Louis Rams fans and lawmakers are still digesting the news that the team is headed to the west coast, including Schaaf.
“I myself, am feeling furious with the NFL and Mr. Kroenke for their willingness to let the taxpayers of Missouri hang out to dry still owing $72 million over the next six years in payments for the Edward Jones Dome,” said Schaaf.
No agreements have been made for another team to come to St. Louis, but Schaaf said his proposal is still important if a future deal is made. He said he’s taking time to decide what his next step will be.
Schaaf, along with Representatives Rob Vescovo, Jay Barnes, Mark Parkinson, Eric Burlison and Tracy McCreery filed a lawsuit last year against Nixon and the public board that owns and operates the Edward Jones Dome. In the lawsuit, Schaaf said taxpayer money is in the process of being spent illegally.