News Summary
Governor Mike Kehoe is convening a special session of the Missouri Legislature to address funding incentives aimed at keeping the Kansas City Chiefs and Royals in Missouri. The urgency arises from failed funding proposals during the regular legislative session and competition with Kansas, which has a law facilitating state bond funding for new stadiums. This move reflects the economic and cultural significance of the teams to Missouri as lawmakers rush to devise a financial solution before Kansas’ deadline.
Kansas City, Missouri — Governor Mike Kehoe has announced plans to convene a special session of the Missouri Legislature. The main focus of the session will be to discuss potential incentives aimed at retaining the Kansas City Chiefs and Royals in Missouri amid discussions of the teams’ possible relocation.
This urgent move comes after lawmakers failed to pass a funding plan for the teams during the regular legislative session. Kehoe is advocating for state financial assistance to renovate or build new stadiums for both teams, which have been major aspects of the city’s sports culture for over five decades.
A significant factor driving this action is a Kansas law that was enacted last year, allowing state bonds to cover up to 70% of the costs for new stadium projects, with repayment spread over 30 years. This places additional pressure on Missouri lawmakers to find a competitive funding model or risk losing both teams to Kansas.
In recent voter decisions, residents of Jackson County, Missouri, voted against extending a sales tax that was intended to fund a $2 billion ballpark district for the Royals, further complicating efforts to secure financial backing for stadium renovations. Unlike their Kansas counterparts, Missouri is now facing the challenge of convincing lawmakers and the public regarding the necessity and effectiveness of using public funds for stadium expenses.
The Chiefs and Royals currently play in two side-by-side stadiums located in eastern Kansas City. Their respective leases extend until 2031, but as discussions about newer facilities and funding mechanisms unfold, the urgency to act has increased significantly. The Missouri House had previously approved a proposal allowing for up to 50% in state funding for the stadium projects, which also included potential tax credits amounting to $50 million.
However, the bill stalled in the Republican-controlled Senate, which concluded its session after a heated debate on unrelated abortion legislation, leaving the stadium financing proposal without further action. Critics of public funding for stadium projects have voiced concerns about the real economic benefits, leading to skepticism among some lawmakers and economists regarding state investments in sports facilities.
The upcoming special session presents an opportunity for Missouri legislators to negotiate a funding solution with greater urgency, as the Kansas financing proposal is set to expire at the end of June. This deadline adds pressure for Missouri lawmakers to finalize their plan and secure local government contributions and oversight on any proposed projects.
Under the new proposals, the funding cap would be set at 50% for projects exceeding $500 million and designed for seating capacities above 30,000. Projections suggest that a new stadium for the Royals could surpass $1 billion, while expenses for a new Chiefs facility may approach $3 billion.
The Missouri House previously passed the stadium funding bill with a vote margin of 108-40, indicating support for funding among its members. However, tensions remain high among lawmakers, fueled by recent disruptions and disagreements. Governor Kehoe is making efforts to garner support for stadium funding before the Kansas deadline arrives and has indicated that there would be provisions in place to recoup public funds if the teams were to leave Missouri before bond payments are completed.
This evolving situation highlights the significance of both the Chiefs and Royals to Missouri’s cultural landscape and economy. As the discussion moves forward, the future of major league sports in the state hangs in the balance, with both teams integral to the identity of the Kansas City area.
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Additional Resources
- ESPN: Missouri Special Session Held for Chiefs, Royals Plans
- Wikipedia: Kansas City Chiefs
- Kansas City Star: Politics and Government
- Google Search: Kansas City Royals
- KMBC: Missouri Stadium Funding Gridlock
- Google Scholar: Missouri Stadium Funding
- Fox 4 KC: Clay County Stadium Bill
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Missouri State Funding
- KSNT: Royals Without Funding Bill
- Google News: Missouri Chiefs Royals Funding
