Kehoe claims ‘Nothing is ever over,’ after Chiefs announce move to Kansas

Marie Moyer

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (KMIZ)

State lawmakers are voicing disappointment and criticism Monday following the announcement of the Kansas City Chiefs’ move to Kansas in 2031.

“They [The Chiefs] think a dome stadium and and landing a Super Bowl would be really big for the organization and I believe that that’s the piece that they were most interested in,” Kehoe said in a press conference Monday. “They thought new and shiny was better than old and reliable and that’s the decision apparently they’re making.”

With the decision also came criticism from several Democratic state lawmakers, who claim Kehoe’s recent initiative to eliminate the state’s income tax hurt Missouri’s offer.

In Missouri’s final stadium bill, the proposal included agreements for Missouri to cover 50% of total construction costs. The deal would have also given up to a 50% tax credit to professional sports entertainment facility construction and eligible teams could also access a tax credit worth up to 10% of their investment.

“There are no winners in a border war, just losses on both sides. Companies moving back and forth across the state line to reap massive tax breaks,” state Sen. Patty Lewis (D-Kansas City) said in an X post. “Missouri’s Governor has no plan to grow our economy besides doubling down on the same failed tax plans that brought us here.”

Here’s my statement on today’s announcement: pic.twitter.com/P2esEnZB3W

— Patty4MO (@Patty4MO) December 22, 2025

U.S. Rep. Mark Alford (R-MO) also voiced disappointment, but praised Kehoe’s leadership through deal negotiations.

“I know Governor Mike Kehoe did everything in his power to get them to stay,” Alford said in a statement. “With this behind us, it’s time to move forward. We must deliver real prosperity, job opportunities, and economic development by thoughtfully eliminating the state income tax.”

“That’s a major policy piece that needs to be done,” Kehoe said Monday. “Our current tax code was written in the 1930s and it’s about time for Missourians to be able to keep more of their money in their pocket.”

Other lawmakers voiced concern at potential economic losses due to the Chiefs’ move.

“These are jobs that people go to even when they don’t have games, they still have events there, so it is jobs that will be affected, it is businesses that will be affected, that goes back to families as well,” state Rep. Tiffany Price (D-Kansas City) said.

“The Chiefs generate nearly $500 million annually in economic activity and support approximately 4,600 jobs in our region,” Rep. Mark Sharp (D-Kansas City) said in a statement. “This team is woven into the economic, cultural and civic identity of our city.”

Sharp also put the spotlight on the Chiefs’ organization.

“Kansas City & Jackson County, Missouri deserved leadership that acted early, coordinated effectively and fought relentlessly for our community. Chiefs fans deserved loyalty and transparency. Instead, a combination of local dysfunction, state-level inaction, and organizational indifference brought us to this moment – and our community is being left to pay the price!” Sharp said.

Kehoe voiced confidence in the current job market during Monday’s press conference.

“Missourians that lose their jobs because this move happens will be able to find another job, I’m quite confident in Kansas City, Missouri,” Kehoe said.

Republican State Sen. Joe Nicola, of Kansas City, was not surprised by the decision.

“I expected it, but nonetheless, I’m still saddened over it and disappointed,” Nicola said.

Nicola added Jackson County is currently caught up in property tax negotiations.

“That’s what’s on people’s minds before they’re willing to vote for any kind of a tax increase to help these sports teams,” Nicola said. “I did not vote for that stadium bill, and I said ‘and I won’t until we get some property tax reform for our citizens,’ we didn’t get it, so I didn’t vote for the stadium bill.”

Kehoe added the legislature will “figure out what the lessons learned here are moving forward.”

“We won’t give up. We’ll look for cracks in the armor and find out if there’s a Missouri Show Me solution through our sports act,” Kehoe said.

Kehoe did not mention any specific plans for deals with the Kansas City Royals but said, “They are in the driver’s seat now.”

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