ST. PAUL, Minn. –- A bill calling for a 6.2% car rental tax, aimed at partially financing new stadiums for the Minnesota Twins and Vikings, failed to attract a majority vote in the House Ways and Means Committee here on May 7.

However, supporters of the $1.2 billion stadium bill said they may try again in future legislative sessions.

Because of the committee's 13 to 13 vote, the bill fell short of qualifying for a vote on the House floor. The 6.2% car rental tax already exists, but is scheduled to expire in 2005. The stadium bill sought to extend the rental tax as well as existing taxes on alcoholic beverages.

Rep. Tom Rukavina proposed the car rental and alcohol taxes as an amendment to the bill before committee members took a vote.

Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty has backed a plan to help fund the stadiums with income and sales tax increment finance (TIF).