Missouri’s incentives for Chiefs, Royals to remain in state near finish line in special legislative session

JEFFERSON CITY (First Alert 4) -- It’s game time in the Missouri Capitol.

Missouri’s offer to the Chiefs and Royals is one step closer to the finish line. Tuesday, lawmakers heard arguments from stakeholders both for and against this plan before it was approved by committee. House lawmakers will have their turn to debate the plan Wednesday. If no changes are made, the bill could be fully ed Wednesday.

Marshall Republican Sen. Kurtis Gregory presents Missouri’s plan to incentivize the Kansas City Chiefs and Royals to stay in the state.

“If these teams leave, there will also be no other general revenue collected from these teams any longer to be used for things across the state,” Gregory said.

Representatives from the teams tell lawmakers they’re seriously considering staying in Missouri, and even want to if the offer is competitive.

“The Kansas City Chiefs are a significant part of the economic development driver for our region, and we’d like to keep them in the state of Missouri,” said Rich Aubuchon, a Kansas City Chiefs lobbyist.

This plan only benefits NFL and MLB teams, allowing them to make upgrades to existing stadiums or construct new stadiums. The plan allows teams to get a bond up to their current state tax revenue; that comes out to nearly $29 million for Chiefs and $26 million for the Royals. It also allows a 10% tax credit up to $50 million, and only up to half of the project.

There is a clawback trigger put in to protect Missouri. If a team relocates its headquarters or training facility to another state, the money will have to be returned.

Not everyone is sold. Patrick Tuohey with the Show Me Institute said the teams are taking advantage of a state afraid to lose them.

“This is a mirage,” Tuohey said. “The Missouri Legislature and the Kansas Legislature are being hustled by teams who desperately want to create a sense of competition.”

At the same time, some lawmakers question the teams’ loyalty.

“They’re either Missouri teams or they’re not Missouri teams, and it would be nice if they would take a stand in favor of Missouri,” said Billings Republican Rep. Bob Titus.

Lawmakers are also moving forward with plans to provide financial relief to tornado victims and freeze property taxes for homeowners.

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