Kehoe Signs Stadium Funding Bill in Special Session

Governor Mike Kehoe signed three major bills on Saturday, June 14, following a special legislative session aimed at helping disaster victims, preserving Missouri’s professional sports teams, and addressing property tax increases.

Calling lawmakers back to the Capitol earlier this month, Kehoe emphasized the urgency of the measures.

“We called legislators back to Jefferson City because the stakes were too high to wait—families and communities needed disaster relief, taxpayers deserved certainty, and critical job-saving investments were on the line,” Kehoe said in a news release. “Without action, thousands of Missourians would have been left without much-needed support, and the state would risk losing jobs and economic development opportunities.”

Among the new laws is Senate Bill 3, which authorizes Missouri to partner with professional sports teams to help fund stadium construction projects. The bill allows the state to cover up to 50% of stadium costs through a combination of bond payments and one-time tax credits, funded by sales tax revenue generated at the stadiums. The total state investment could reach $1.5 billion over 30 years.

To safeguard the public investment, the legislation includes a clause requiring teams to repay the state if they relocate before the agreement ends.

The bill comes as Missouri competes with Kansas, which has proposed covering up to 70% of stadium construction costs in an effort to lure the Kansas City Chiefs and Royals across the state line. The Kansas offer is set to expire at the end of June.

Another key provision of the bill provides disaster relief in the form of tax credits—up to $5,000—to help Missourians cover home or renters insurance deductibles following severe weather damage in declared disaster areas this year.

The legislation also addresses rising property taxes. Voters in 97 Missouri counties will be asked whether they want to freeze or cap property tax increases. In 22 counties, taxes could be frozen at current levels, while 75 counties could see a cap of 5% on increases every two years.

Senate Bill 3 was sponsored by Sen. Kurtis Gregory, R-Marshall, and co-sponsored by Rep. Chris Brown, R-Kansas City.

KPGZ News – Brian Watts contributed to this story.

Missouri Moves Forward with Show Me Sports Investment Act

Missouri lawmakers have passed the “Show Me Sports Investment Act,” a major funding proposal aimed at keeping the Kansas City Chiefs and Royals from moving across state lines. The bill, approved during a special legislative session, offers significant financial incentives to support new stadium construction for professional sports teams in Missouri, just as Kansas is making a competing push with its own generous funding program.

The plan allows the state to fund up to 50% of stadium construction costs for projects costing at least $500 million and seating at least 30,000 people. It also provides teams with a 10% investment tax credit, capped at $50 million per project. To receive funding, projects must have local government support, and safeguards are in place, including annual legislative reviews and a clause that requires teams to repay the state if they relocate.

The bill passed the House 90–58 and now heads to Governor Mike Kehoe, who is expected to sign it. Kehoe, a vocal supporter of the plan, has emphasized the need to act swiftly before Kansas’ own incentives expire on June 30. Kansas has offered to fund up to 70% of new stadium construction through its STAR bonds program, a serious enticement for both teams, whose leases at the Truman Sports Complex expire in January 2031. The Royals are currently considering sites for a new stadium, including locations in North Kansas City, downtown Kansas City, and potential options in Kansas.

Supporters of the Missouri plan argue that retaining the teams would have a powerful economic impact. Studies commissioned by the franchises estimate that Arrowhead Stadium alone generates $28.8 million in tax revenue and supports over 4,600 jobs, while a new Royals ballpark district could deliver more than 8,400 jobs and $1.2 billion in annual economic activity.

“This bill gives Governor Mike Kehoe the tools he needs to negotiate a deal to keep The Kansas City Chiefs in Missouri, bring the Kansas City Royals to Clay County, and provides the opportunity for property tax relief for my Clinton County constituents,” said Representative Josh Hurlbert (MO-08). “I was glad to help send this bill to the Governor’s desk.”

Not all lawmakers are convinced. Some critics argue the plan lacks transparency and places an unfair burden on taxpayers while benefiting billion-dollar franchises. Representative Michael Davis and others raised concerns about the speed and structure of the legislation, warning it may not deliver the return on investment supporters hope for.

While the bill marks a significant step, additional decisions lie ahead. Local governments must still approve matching funding, and both the Chiefs and Royals will have to weigh Missouri’s offer against Kansas’ more aggressive incentives. In statements following the vote, both teams acknowledged the bill as a meaningful part of their future planning—though neither committed to a final decision.

The coming weeks will be crucial in determining whether Missouri’s investment will be enough to keep two of its most iconic sports franchises at home.

KPGZ News – Brian Watts contributed to this story.

Kehoe Calls Special Session for Stadium Funding, Storm Relief

Governor Mike Kehoe has called for a special legislative session beginning June 2, aiming to tackle unresolved priorities left on the table after the close of the regular session. Central to the agenda are state support for new stadiums to keep the Kansas City Chiefs and Royals in Missouri, emergency relief for storm-damaged areas in the St. Louis region, and critical budget allocations.

Kehoe announced the special session will revisit several high-profile issues, including the stalled "Show Me Sports Investment Act." The proposed legislation introduces a new bonding mechanism designed to help professional sports teams access state-backed funding for stadium construction, provided they meet specific qualifications. Although the bill cleared the Missouri House, it failed to advance in the Senate before the session ended.

Kehoe emphasized that the effort is more than a sports deal—it’s an economic strategy. “This isn’t just about football or baseball,” Kehoe said. “It’s about securing economic opportunity and long-term investment for communities across Missouri.”

Negotiations over the proposal reportedly gained traction late in the legislative calendar, which contributed to its delay. “We didn’t really reach the right balance until late April or early May,” Kehoe noted.

Time is running out for Missouri to present a compelling stadium funding package to the Kansas City Chiefs, who have said they’ll decide by June 30 whether to remain in the state or accept a lucrative offer from Kansas. Kansas has pledged to cover up to 70% of construction costs for new stadiums for both the Chiefs and Royals if they agree to relocate.

Governor Kehoe acknowledged the urgency of the situation, noting that both franchises are actively weighing their options.

“I’ve spoken with the owners and leadership of both teams on multiple occasions,” Kehoe said. “They have serious offers in front of them, and without a competitive proposal from Missouri, I do think there’s a real possibility they could leave. I can’t speak for them, but the risk is very real.”

Under Missouri’s current proposal, the state would finance up to 50% of the cost for new stadiums through bonds, with repayment terms extending up to 30 years. The bond amounts would be tied to the annual revenue each team generates, ensuring the investment is proportional to their economic impact.

“We’re proud of what was accomplished during the regular session,” Kehoe said in a statement, “but we have more to do. This is a rare opportunity to help Missourians in crisis, stimulate economic growth, and make meaningful investments in our state’s future. We must not let it go to waste.”

KPGZ News – Brian Watts contributed to this story.