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Judge places St. Louis soccer measures on April ballot

A general view of the pitch prior to the start of a friendly soccer match between Liverpool and Roma, Monday, Aug. 1, 2016, in St. Louis. Roma won the match 2-1. (Billy Hurst / Associated Press)
Associated Press

ST. LOUIS – A circuit judge has approved the city’s plans to put a measure on the April 4 ballot asking voters to approve funding for a new Major League Soccer stadium in St. Louis.

Judge Michael Mullen issued the ruling Thursday, about a week after city aldermen voted to place the issue on the April ballot.

Mullen also ordered a half-cent sales tax increase to fund MetroLink expansion be included on the same ballot.

The St. Louis Post-Dispatch reports supporters of the proposed $200 million soccer stadium need both measures to be approved. The MetroLink sales tax increase would trigger a corresponding increase in the city’s business use tax on out-of-state purchases. Revenue from that increase would fund most of the city’s $60 million commitment to the stadium.