Missouri Senate Bill 3 faces constitutional challenge in court

By: Madison Stuerman

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

Senator Mike Moon (R-Ash Grove), State Representative Bryant Wolfin (R-Ste. Genevieve) and a Maries County man have filed a lawsuit challenging the constitutionality of Senate Bill 3.

The lawsuit, filed in Cole County, is asking a judge to declare Senate Bill 3 unconstitutional, specifically regarding the stadium subsidies for the Kansas City Chiefs and Royals.

The suit claims the bill is unconstitutional because it violates Missouri constitutional provisions of the grant of public money to a private person, special law, multiple subjects, the title is not clear and a change of original purpose.

"The appropriations described in the bill are a direct gift or bribe to the owners of the Chiefs and the Royals to stay in Missouri," the lawsuit states.

"The stadium subsidies are a bribe paid to sports team owners to meet their extortion demand to stop them from leaving Missouri for Kansas," W. Bevis Schock said in a news release. "The way the numbers workit appears the legislature and the governor are sticking taxpayers with most of the salary of Chiefs Quarterback Patrick Mahomes."

The bill passed in the Missouri Senate by a vote of 19-13 during a special session. It was then passed by the Missouri House with a vote of 90-58.

Governor Mike Kehoe signed the bill into law on June 14.

The Show Me Sports Investment Act is aimed at keeping the two sports teams from moving to Kansas after lawmakers failed to pass a plan during their regular, annual session. The proposal would give the state's professional sports teams access to state funding for stadium projects through new bonds, but only if certain requirements are met.

The project must cost at least $500 million and involve stadiums with more than 30,000 seats. The state could cover up to 50% of the total cost and eligible teams could also access a tax credit worth up to 10% of their investment.

Chiefs owner and CEO Clark Hunt said on Monday a final decision has not been made, but said there is some urgency to make one.

This is a developing story.