News Summary
Kansas City lawmakers, with support from Governor Mike Kehoe, are advancing a plan to prevent the relocation of the Chiefs and Royals. The proposed amendment to Senate Bill 80 aims to provide financial aid for stadium projects, covering up to half the costs through bond financing. The Missouri House has approved the initiative, which features tax credits for eligible expenses and stipulates that allocated funds must be returned if the teams relocate. This legislation follows a previous failed stadium effort and emphasizes the importance of keeping the teams within the state.
Kansas City lawmakers are advancing a legislative effort aimed at preventing the Kansas City Chiefs and Royals from relocating to Kansas. Governor Mike Kehoe is backing a proposed amendment to Senate Bill 80, which seeks to provide financial support for stadium projects. The Missouri House has approved the plan with a decisive vote of 103-42.
The proposal is designed to cover up to half of the costs associated with stadium upgrades or new constructions for both the NFL and MLB teams through bond financing and additional financial aid. Specifically, the amendment includes provisions to issue bonds worth nearly $29 million for the Chiefs and approximately $26 million for the Royals, based on the current state tax revenue.
To incentivize investment, the legislation includes a tax credit of up to 10% on eligible costs, capped at $50 million, which would cover half of the designated project expenses. A notable feature of this proposal is a clawback provision, stipulating that any funds allocated would need to be returned if the teams decide to relocate out of the state.
The plan aims to remain in effect for a lengthy period of up to 30 years and is currently awaiting approval from the Missouri Senate. Proponents of the bill, including members of the legislature, emphasize the importance of keeping the teams in Missouri, highlighting the teams’ local identity. Critics, however, have voiced concerns, accusing supporters of engaging in “fearmongering” and labeling the proposal’s timing as “unfair.”
This legislative move follows a previous failed attempt regarding a new stadium for the Royals and renovations for Arrowhead Stadium, which occurred last year. The Kansas City Royals are reportedly exploring various options for a potential new stadium and have expressed gratitude for the legislative support. Meanwhile, in Kansas, efforts to entice the teams with the STAR Bonds bill are ongoing; this bill is set to expire in June 2025.
In related news, NFL Chiefs owner Clark Hunt has indicated plans for team direction by spring 2024, while the Royals’ owner John Sherman is expected to make decisions regarding the new stadium site around the mid-year. The Chiefs are bound by their current lease at Truman Sports Complex until February 2031.
Looking toward public safety, recent developments include the FBI’s plan to move over 1,000 positions from Washington, D.C. to Kansas City, with particular attention to combating violent crime, homicides, gang activity, and drug-related issues in the region. The Kansas City field office of the FBI is set to accommodate these new personnel.
Local political representatives have criticized city leadership concerning the crime situation, attributing the challenges to “liberal, soft-on-crime” policies. Concurrently, the Jackson County Prosecutor’s Office has expressed support for the FBI’s enhanced presence, viewing it as a way to bolster public safety.
Kansas City Mayor Quinton Lucas has offered cautious optimism regarding the FBI’s deployment, indicating potential benefits for community safety. The Kansas City Police Department (KCPD) has also rolled out a new crime reduction plan focusing on lower rates of violent crime and property crime.
According to KCPD Chief Stacey Graves, there has been a reported decrease in homicides; however, nonfatal shootings have increased. Property crime rates have also seen a minor decrease of 3% compared to the previous year. The police department continues to encounter staffing shortages, striving to recruit an additional 300 personnel and actively engaging local colleges for community recruitment efforts.
As the KCPD aims to enhance public safety and strengthen law enforcement collaboration through community engagement, their goal is to foster a safer Kansas City and improve public perceptions of the police force. This multifaceted approach seeks to address both crime levels and community support effectively.
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Additional Resources
- KCTV5: Amendment to Fund Chiefs and Royals Stadiums Passes Missouri House
- Wikipedia: Kansas City
- KCTV5: FBI Eyes Kansas City as Part of Cross-Country Expansion
- Google Search: FBI Kansas City Expansion
- KCTV5: Kansas City Man Arrested for Violent Kidnapping and Assault
- Google Scholar: Violent Kidnapping Kansas City
- KCTV5: KCPD’s New Plan to Combat Crime Faces Challenges
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Crime Prevention Strategies
- KCTV5: Chiefs Hope for Direction on Stadium Plans by Spring
- Google News: Kansas City Chiefs Stadium Plans
