Breaking: The Kansas Senate Has Passed a STAR Bond Proposal 27-8 For a Possible Chief Or Royals Stadium
Kansas is looking to support the Kansas City Chiefs and Royals.
As reported by the Associated Press, Governor Laura Kelly has approved a plan to finance new stadiums for the NFL and MLB teams.
Passed on June 18, the proposal “would allow the issuance of state bonds for stadium construction, which would be repaid using revenues from sports betting, the Kansas Lottery, and extra tax dollars generated near the new venues.”
#BREAKING: the Kansas Senate has passed a STAR Bond proposal 27-8 for a possible @Chiefs or @Royals stadium in the state.
The bill now heads to the governor, who has indicated she will sign it.
One lawmaker told me “this is the score part of scoop and score.”#ksleg
— Matt Evans (@MattEvansKMBC) June 18, 2024
“I’ve dreamed of seeing the Chiefs in Kansas my entire life, but I hope we can achieve this in a way that benefits these communities instead of adding more challenges,” said Democrat Rep. Jason Probst to reporters.
The teams have a stadium lease that runs until January 2031, but in April, Missouri voters rejected a proposed sales tax extension for stadium upkeep. Concurrently, state lawmakers are urging both teams to develop plans for new stadiums or renovations by the end of the current leases.
Statement from the Chiefs on the STAR bonds proposal passing: pic.twitter.com/BPXcjsL822
— Sam McDowell (@SamMcDowell11) June 18, 2024
Missouri lawmakers are expected to vigorously work to retain both franchises as the threat from their rival across the state line becomes more significant.
“They’re a source of great pride,” said Missouri state Rep. John Patterson, a Republican, about the franchises.
While sports teams often highlight the economic advantages of introducing stadium complexes to a community, numerous studies have shown that subsidizing stadiums is generally a poor investment for cities and their residents.
Nevertheless, Kansas lawmakers will continue their efforts to attract the Chiefs and Royals by emphasizing the perceived benefits of such moves.
“You’ve got this asset, and all the businesses that follow or are created as a result,” Kansas state Rep. Sean Tarwater, a Republican, stated to reporters. “You’ll see commerce flowing from that area every day.”