Some city leaders are now speaking out against Proposition A, which seeks to repeal the city earnings tax.

St. Louis Mayor Francis Slay has said that he will not immediately contest campaign supporter Rex Sinquefield's push to get the earnings tax repealed in St. Louis and Kansas City.

If the measure passes statewide this November, it will come before city voters in April. Slay has suggested he may well fight it then.

But other city leaders, fearing the loss of one-third of the city's annual general fund budget, or about $136 million, are working against the measure now. Alderman Stephen Conway, for instance, has already visited Kansas City to rally opposition.

And now city Comptroller Darlene Green has put out a statement against the anti-earning tax campaign.

"The last thing St. Louis residents and visitors need is an ill-conceived ballot measure that puts a damper on all the city's development and job creation," she said in the statement, released last week.

Green will speak out against Proposition A on Oct. 1 during her keynote address at the annual Workers Rights Board breakfast.