Itsme
11-04-2005, 09:41 AM
After 'Bad Calls' During Playoffs, Lawmaker Wants Umps To Pay
POSTED: 5:23 am PST November 3, 2005
JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. -- A Missouri legislator who's an avid St. Louis Cardinals fan said umpires should pay -- literally -- for what he sees as bad calls during the playoffs against the Houston Astros.
House Democrat Jeff Roorda feels bad calls during the in the National League Championship Series cost St. Louis a chance to play in the World Series. Roorda wants to expand the state athlete and entertainer tax to cover officials such as Major League Baseball umpires and other referees.
The tax is charged to out-of-staters who earn money in the Show Me State while performing in such events as baseball games and concerts. The revenues are supposed to go to the arts, public libraries and other cultural programs.
Roorda said if the umps aren't going to pay attention during the games -- at least they should pay taxes.
Roorda said the idea grew out of his frustration with officials in the playoff series the Astros won from the Cardinals in six games. But he thinks it's good public policy to tax the officials affecting a game's outcome, not just the athletes who play it.
POSTED: 5:23 am PST November 3, 2005
JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. -- A Missouri legislator who's an avid St. Louis Cardinals fan said umpires should pay -- literally -- for what he sees as bad calls during the playoffs against the Houston Astros.
House Democrat Jeff Roorda feels bad calls during the in the National League Championship Series cost St. Louis a chance to play in the World Series. Roorda wants to expand the state athlete and entertainer tax to cover officials such as Major League Baseball umpires and other referees.
The tax is charged to out-of-staters who earn money in the Show Me State while performing in such events as baseball games and concerts. The revenues are supposed to go to the arts, public libraries and other cultural programs.
Roorda said if the umps aren't going to pay attention during the games -- at least they should pay taxes.
Roorda said the idea grew out of his frustration with officials in the playoff series the Astros won from the Cardinals in six games. But he thinks it's good public policy to tax the officials affecting a game's outcome, not just the athletes who play it.