St. Louis Rejects
Light Rail Tax
Large Funding Gap Overcome by "NO" Campaign
A transit sales tax issue to add St. Louis Light Rail lines was defeated by a large margin in the November 4, 1997 election
The tax election was held in the city of St. Louis and St. Louis County, and would need to have been passed
in both jurisdictions to become effective.
- In St. Louis County the "NO" side attracted 58 percent of the votes, and the "YES" side 42 percent.
- In the city of St. Louis, the "YES" side attracted 50.4 percent of the votes, and the "NO" side 49.6 percent
- Combined, the "NO" side obtained 56 percent of the votes and the "YES" side 44 percent.
- The "NO" side overcame a substantial funding disadvantage, being outspent by the "YES" side $900,000 to $500
--- a nearly 2,000 to 1 disadvantage.
Since 1993 six light rail referenda have been held in the St. Louis area. Two taxes have been enacted: in St Louis
City-County and St. Clair County, Illinois. Four have been rejected: St. Charles County, Missouri has rejected two, while Madison County,
Illinois rejected a measure in November 1997.
10 November 1997
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