By Marshall Griffin, KWMU
Jefferson City, Mo. – A major tax credit bill has unanimously passed a Missouri Senate committee.
Among other things, it contains a provision that would allow sports fans to resell tickets they've already purchased, commonly known as scalping.
John Barzhier is a lobbyist for the St. Louis Cardinals, which supports the bill.
"When you have the greatest thing that you could have--what we may have this September is the Cardinals and the Cubs playing in St. Louis for 1st place, a sold-out game, and an individual trying to take their daughter or son to a game, and our current laws will relegate them to having to go into a back alley and commit a crime to purchase a ticket," Barzhier said.
However Democratic Senator Ryan McKenna expressed concern that teams could start their own ticket repurchasing company and raise re-sale prices.
The legislation also gives tax credits to developers who buy up land in distressed urban areas.
Critics say it's a give-away to St. Louis developer Paul McKee, who's has purchased hundreds of parcels on the near north side, but has not announced any specific plans for that property.