Missouri will initiate a special legislative session on Monday to deliberate aid for tornado victims and financial incentives intended to prevent the Kansas City Chiefs and Royals from relocating to Kansas in search of new or upgraded facilities. This announcement comes on the heels of a devastating tornado in St. Louis and as the Missouri Legislature concluded its session without finalizing a developing plan to approve state bonds for the Chiefs and Royals, set to cover up to half the expenses of the stadium initiatives.
Governor Mike Kehoe revealed this special session, pointing towards the necessity of a competitive offer following Kansas’ legislation, which sanctioned bonds covering up to 70% of new stadium costs. These funds are to be reimbursed over 30 years using revenues derived from sports betting and the Kansas Lottery, as well as new sales and alcohol taxes.
Kehoe emphasized the urgency of the situation, suggesting that failure to present a viable offer could result in the teams departing Missouri. The Chiefs and Royals, stalwarts of sports in the region for over 50 years, attract spectators from both Missouri and Kansas. Their playing leases last until 2031, but Royals owner John Sherman has declared that Kauffman Stadium will not host games beyond 2030.
A recent proposal for extending a Jackson County sales tax, which would have facilitated financing for both a $2 billion ballpark district for the Royals and an $800 million renovation of the Chiefs’ Arrowhead Stadium, was rejected by voters. This rejection prompted Kansas to extend an enticing offer, thereby compelling Missouri to reevaluate its stadium proposals.
Across the nation, new stadium construction projects are emerging, commonly funded by taxpayer resources. While many economists argue this represents a diversion rather than a creation of new spending, proponents believe the economic impact and tourism generated by these teams are influential. They note the Chiefs’ recent Super Bowl victories and the Royals’ World Series win as significant contributors to community and national interest.
Missouri’s proposed initiative involves 30 years of bond payments based on the annual state tax revenue produced by the teams before requesting state aid. It proposes $50 million in tax credits for stadium projects, requiring local government support as well. However, no specific location or project cost details are included in this proposal.
The special session’s success is uncertain due to underlying tensions within the Missouri Senate. In the legislative session’s final days, a Republican majority employed rare tactics to bypass Democratic resistance, passing two controversial measures, including repealing a voter-mandated paid sick leave law and initiating a vote to annul a voter-endorsed abortion-rights amendment. In response, Democrats have threatened to decelerate legislative progress.
As the recent session concluded, Missouri experienced severe tornado impacts, particularly in St. Louis, underscoring the need for recovery aid. Kehoe’s relief package proposes a $5,000 income tax deduction for those affected by insurance policy deductibles and allocates $25 million to broaden eligibility for state emergency housing programs in disaster-declared areas.
Additionally, Kehoe’s special session will address various construction projects across Missouri, including $25 million for the development of a research nuclear reactor at the University of Missouri—a component previously part of a failed budget proposal. Other projects include a 200-bed mental health facility in Kansas City and new livestock barns at the Missouri State Fairgrounds.