Missouri Governor Mike Kehoe is stepping up his game in an effort to keep the Kansas City Chiefs and Royals from crossing state lines.
With the Missouri state legislature adjourning without the passage of a crucial stadium funding bill, Kehoe has declared his intention to call a special legislative session. His goal? To push through a package of bonds and tax credits that would cover half the cost of revamping Arrowhead Stadium and establishing a new baseball facility.
This move is seen as pivotal as both the Chiefs and Royals are exploring potential relocations to Kansas, driven by a lack of funding commitments from Missouri taxpayers to meet their stadium needs.
Previously, Jackson County voters turned down a proposal that sought public funds to bankroll the stadium projects. Unfazed, Governor Kehoe now wants the state to rally around the cause, framing it as "a critical piece of economic development." He aims for legislative approval to make the state’s offer as attractive as possible.
The stakes are high for Missouri, as losing either team could deal a significant economic blow, affecting jobs, revenue, and the fervent local fan base.
