Missouri special session focuses on Royals and Chiefs stadium funding
ST. JOSEPH, Mo. (News-Press NOW) -- Monday’s special session announced by Governor Mike Kehoe last week honed in on funding for the Chiefs and Royals.
The General Assembly met at noon Monday to discuss Kehoe’s agenda, which included providing incentives to retain the local professional sports teams. The state of Kansas developed incentives to encourage the teams to cross the state line.
St. Joseph resident Larry Stafford said he would rather see the Chiefs and Royals stay in Missouri, but he isn’t worried the potential move if they stay in the Kansas City Metropolitan area.
"Kansas isn't that far away where they'd be," he said. "It's not like they'd be over in Topeka or Wichita or someplace like that."
Senate Bill 3 was first read by legislators on Monday and would allow the state to invest in large stadium projects and potentially cover up to 50% of the costs.
But not all St. Joseph residents are open to the teams moving to Kansas. Rita Davis would like to see the Chiefs and Royals continue playing in Missouri because it’s a tradition she remembers as a child.
"I have had friends take me to a football game down there or a baseball game, and it was—just the memories of it are fun," she said. "It was tradition, and I think it's good to know it will still be close, but I still like the idea that it's part of Missouri history."
SB 3 would allow the sports teams to use tax revenue generated at the stadium to pay off construction bonds. Any tax revenue received after the bonds are paid off would then go to the state.
"That doesn't bother me," Stafford said. "I mean, if they weren't there, you wouldn't have (tax revenue from the stadium) anyway."
The terms apply to construction or rehabilitation projects that cost $500 million and serve professional baseball or football teams.
"This isn't a giveaway—it's a strategy to ensure Missouri remains competitive with other states that would gladly take this opportunity for themselves," Governor Kehoe wrote Monday in an opinion letter through his office.
It is unclear how long the special session will last, but the Missouri Constitution says the Governor may convene the General Assembly for a maximum of 60 days. SB 3 was second read and referred to the senate Fiscal Oversight Committee on Tuesday.
"They're our teams, they're Missouri's teams, they're our history and we want to keep them here," Davis said.
