Statements
Legislators approve plan to attract Kansas City Chiefs to Kansas.
Plan involves state covering up to 70% of stadium costs.
Plan to be repaid over 30 years using sports betting, lottery revenue, and new taxes.
Governor Laura Kelly needs to sign off on the plan.
A veto from Governor Kelly is unlikely according to her chief of staff.
Kansas' plan is a response to Missouri voters rejecting a sales tax extension.
Republican leaders initially delayed discussing the stadium plan until tax cuts were approved.
Governor Kelly called a special session to address tax reduction and stadium financing.
The final bill limits state’s financing to 70% and requires legislative and gubernatorial approval.
The Chiefs will invest $500 million to $700 million in private funds for the new stadium.
Economists and free-market advocates oppose subsidizing stadiums.
Money spent on the Chiefs is seen as redirected from other entertainment by critics.
Missouri yet to make plans in response but aims to retain teams.
Arrowhead Stadium needs renovations seven or eight years before leases expire in 2031.
New tax revenues are expected to repay the bonds.
Senate President Ty Masterson stresses the importance of tax relief for citizens.
Lobbyists from Scoop and Score and the Royals support the plan.
Advocates highlight the urgency of the situation.
Major league teams are considered crucial for city pride and economic vitality.
Outcome depends on Governor Kelly's decision and plan implementation.
Kansas could gain significant economic opportunities and challenges.
The coming weeks will be decisive in this legislative and economic matter.
Quotes
Andrew Zimbalist: "Most of the money that gets spent on the Chiefs is money that would otherwise be spent on other entertainment projects."
Andrew Zimbalist: "It could still help Kansas and maybe hurt Missouri by the same amount."
Senate President Ty Masterson: "We definitely need to demonstrate that we're getting relief to our citizens."
House Commerce Committee Chair Sean Tarwater: "There are no blank checks."
David Frantz: "There is an urgency to this."
Korb Maxwell: "For a town to be major league, they need major league teams."