By AP/KWMU
Jefferson City, Mo. – A Missouri state lawmaker says umpires should pay--literally--or what he sees as bad calls made during the playoff series when the St. Louis Cardinals lost to the Houston Astros.
House Democrat Jeff Roorda wants to expand the state athlete and entertainer tax to also cover officials such as umpires and referees.
Roorda says the idea grew out of his frustration with officials in the playoff series.
But he thinks it's good public policy to tax the officials affecting a game's outcome, not just the athletes who play it.
He doesn't know yet how much more money taxing officials would bring the state. But he says it won't reach the amount Missouri could have gained in tourism dollars if it played host for a World Series.