“All I want is to give the people in the greater St. Louis area an opportunity to have their voices heard at the ballot box in support of the St. Louis Zoo, an attraction that strengthens our economy and is a point of pride for the region,” Walsh said. “I’m frustrated that my nonpartisan legislation would be wrapped up in an unrelated issue, and I hope the political games end soon so we can get back to the important work before us.”

As for stopping the city’s anti-discrimination law, legislative leaders and Gov. Eric Greitens endorsed efforts to block the city ordinance at an anti-abortion event at the Capitol last month.

Onder said there was little difference between him trying to stop the zoo tax and Democrats trying to block the legislation affecting the city’s abortion ordinance.

The measure pending in the Legislature would block cities such as St. Louis from enacting laws that would infringe on the free speech and religious rights of alternatives to abortion agencies or facilities that counsel pregnant women against abortion.

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