ST. LOUIS -- When wealthy financier Rex Sinquefield last month gave $2.5 million to his push to fight the city earnings tax, it was likely the largest single donation in the history of Missouri politics.

It didn't take long for Sinquefield to match his own record.

(Update: As Jo Mannies at the Beacon points out, James and Virginia Stowers hold the record on the largest single donation in Missouri campaign history. They contributed a $4.2 million check in 2006 for an effort to promote stem-cell research.)

Today, Sinquefield reported giving another $2.5 million to the campaign, bringing his total contribution to the effort to just over $6.75 million.

In order to reach the November ballot, Sinquefield's initiative must be certified by the Secretary of State.

It's clear, however, that Sinquefield is not waiting for official approval -- and, because he turned in about twice the requisite signatures, he really doesn't need to tarry.

The statewide referendum would give voters in St. Louis -- and Kansas City -- the ability to rescind the 1 percent wage tax currently paid by individuals who live or work in the city.

Others are also benefiting from Sinquefield's largess. Ethics Commission filings released today show that Sinquefield, who made his fortune as a mutual fund maven, gave $75,000 to the State House Republican Campaign Committee and $100,000 to a new political action committee, "Progress for the Saint Louis Region."

The treasurer for that new committee is Mark Tucker, a Sinquefield lobbyist.