Latest news with #Show-MeSportsInvestmentAct
Yahoo
6 hours ago
- Politics
- Yahoo
Clay County leader speaks on Royals deal: ‘Hundreds of miles apart'
KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Day three of Missouri's Special Session invaded day four as the State Senate approved a stadium finance package to try to keep the Chiefs and the Royals in Missouri. It came in the early hours of Thursday morning, with a vote coming just before 2:30 a.m. Late in 2023, the Royals had publicly narrowed down their stadium sites to two, one in the East Village of Kansas City, Mo., within the downtown loop. The other was in North Kansas City, Mo. and Clay County. Legislator Manny Abarca pleads not guilty to domestic battery charges in Johnson County Then, in February of 2024 and right before the team's April vote, the Royals decided they were going to try to build their ballpark at a different location, the East Crossroads of downtown Kansas City, and south of the downtown loop. The joint vote with a Chiefs renovation at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium failed by 16%. Fast forward to June of 2025 and Clay County leaders are still expressing support for a North Kansas City ballpark. Tuesday, June 3, Clay County Commissioner Scott Wagner and Presiding Commissioner Jerry Nolte both testified in the Committee on Fiscal Oversight. They wanted that committee to pass Senate Bill 3, known as the Show-Me Sports Investment Act. The committee ended up passing it 6-3. Two days later, FOX4 talked to Clay County Commissioner Jason Withington. He said the last time his entity had negotiations with the Royals was in 2023, right before the team decided they weren't going to try to build in Clay County or in the East Village of Kansas City, Mo. 'I just want to make sure people understand that, I know, my phone's been blowing up. 'Oh, we're one step closer to getting the team.' Man, we're still hundreds of miles apart,' Withington said Thursday. Independence police chief on leave, fires back at 'baseless rumors' in FOX4 interview Regardless, the Missouri House of Representatives returns Monday to try to pass the Show-Me Sports Investment Act. The House already passed that bill at the end of May, but it died in the State Senate, which just approved it Thursday morning. Jackson County Executive Frank White released the following statement on the Show-Me Sports Investment Act on Thursday, June 5: For more than 50 years, Jackson County has proudly supported the Kansas City Chiefs and Royals, shouldering the majority of the financial responsibility that has helped keep both teams rooted in our community. Each year, our taxpayers contribute more than $54 million to support the teams – more than the County currently spends combined on parks and playgrounds, roads and bridges, and our public health department. This significant investment reflects our long-standing commitment, but it also underscores the need to balance that support with the many other responsibilities we carry as a county. While it has been an honor to uphold that legacy, it's time for a new chapter, one where Jackson County no longer carries the burden alone. From the beginning of this process, I've been clear: the path forward must include a more equitable sharing of responsibility. The stadium funding plan passed by the Missouri Senate moves us in that direction. It opens the door to meaningful relief for Jackson County taxpayers and creates the opportunity to invest in the essential services our residents rely on every day, from public safety and health care to critical infrastructure, all without increasing taxes. We remain committed to working with our partners at every level to support a future that is more balanced, more sustainable, and ultimately more fair for the people of Jackson County. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Missouri Senate Democrats currently not focused on Chiefs, Royals
JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. — It is back to work for Missouri lawmakers as . The work's starting in the State Senate which filibustered the late arriving proposal and then adjourned its regular session. Republican State Senator Kurtis Gregory of Saline County has filed a bill that was first read Monday. His bill creates the Show-Me Sports Investment Act. Kehoe has pitched this plan to try to keep the Chiefs and the Royals in Missouri. Royals' affiliate buys Overland Park Aspiria campus' mortgage While Kregory did not elaborate on his bill on the floor, FOX4 was able to talk to Republican State Senate President Cindy O'Laughlin before session started Monday. 'I think for people this is controversial because people want to bring the owners into the conversation, but for them, it's a business decision,' she said, talking about the owners. 'So, for me, I think it boils down to, 'Do you want to make an offer that you think is reasonable? Do you want to keep the Chiefs and the Royals? And then they have to decide what they want to do.' O'laughlin said she's had indirect conversations with the ownership of both teams, saying she thinks they want to stay in the Show-Me State. Also, before session started Monday, Democratic Senate Minority Leader Doug Beck from St. Louis County said state leaders need to focus on the tornado victims in his part of the state, the capital improvements bill that helped different parts of Missouri, and cancer research. Beck was also asked about the Chiefs and Royals stadium situation. 'So, my focus is that this is the first part of it is the appropriations bill and what we do for the people of St. Louis for the tornado, you know, the cancer research, and all those things,' he said. 'Until that happens, and it's through the House and on the Governor's Desk, then we can talk about the other one.' Beck was asked whether he's had pushback from caucus members on the west of the state when it comes to not currently being focused on the Chiefs and the Royals. Family sues Kansas City, KC Sports Commission & several others for 2024 Chiefs parade shooting 'Our caucus has been united in that we need to take care of the people of Missouri,' he responded. 'That's what's most important right now.' Beck said he does not know where his caucus is member by member on support for the teams' stadiums. He says it really hasn't been talked about much yet. O'Laughlin said stadium bills could be discussed in committees Tuesday before there's full debate Wednesday. Download WDAF+ for Roku, Fire TV, Apple TV The session starts at 10 a.m. on Tuesday. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
