Missouri stadium funding debates under Gov. Kehoe in 2025

Missouri's debate over stadium funding for the Chiefs and Royals under Gov. Kehoe has triggered intense political negotiations and skepticism. Lawmakers have held multiple closed-door meetings to discuss new state aid proposals, with Kehoe taking a rare hands-on approach, including a direct pitch to House Republicans. The plan, which could use taxpayer funds to finance up to half the cost of new or refurbished stadiums, has met bipartisan resistance in the Senate, partly due to concerns about a lack of public input and the bill’s late arrival.

Property tax anger, especially after a recent assessment hike in Jackson County, has become intertwined with stadium discussions, as leaders believe rebuilding trust is crucial for any future vote. With little time left in the legislative session, the fate of Kehoe’s ambitious campaign remains uncertain.

Missouri state representatives meet in the House chamber on Tuesday, March 7, 2023, at the state Capitol in Jefferson City, Mo. By Nick Wagner

NO. 1: MISSOURI REPUBLICANS WANT INCOME TAX CUTS. BUT SERVICES COULD BE TAXED INSTEAD UNDER PLAN

A constitutional amendment proposed by GOP lawmakers would pave the way for ending Missouri’s income tax. | Published January 8, 2025 | Read Full Story by Jonathan Shorman Kacen Bayless

NO. 2: 5 ISSUES TO LOOK FOR IN NEW MISSOURI GOV. MIKE KEHOE’S STATE OF THE STATE ADDRESS | OPINION

One possibility: His campaign touted connections with Arthur Laffer, architect of Sam Brownback’s failed “tax experiment” in Kansas. | Opinion | Published January 27, 2025 | Read Full Story by The Kansas City Star Editorial Board

The Missouri Capitol building is seen on Wednesday, Feb. 21, 2024, in Jefferson City. By Nick Wagner

NO. 3: THESE ARE THE HIGHEST PAID MISSOURI STATE EMPLOYEES. ONE MADE OVER $500K IN 2024

Find out where your tax dollars went. | Published January 30, 2025 | Read Full Story by Eleanor Nash

Missouri Governor Mike Kehoe waves to the crowd after being sworn in as the state’s 58th governor Monday at inauguration ceremonies in Jefferson City. By Emily Curiel

NO. 4: MISSOURI PUSH TO KEEP CHIEFS, ROYALS REACHES NEW PITCH AS KEHOE HOLDS CLOSED-DOOR TALKS

The flurry of activity could mark the beginning of a new, more intense phase in Missouri’s effort to keep the teams after months of little public progress. | Published February 27, 2025 | Read Full Story by Sam McDowell Kacen Bayless Jonathan Shorman

NO. 5: SHOULD KANSAS CITY CONTROL ITS OWN POLICE? HERE’S WHAT A POLL OF MISSOURI VOTERS SAYS

While Missouri lawmakers have framed state control as a way to curtail crime in Kansas City, a new poll suggests the system is not widely popular among voters. | Published March 18, 2025 | Read Full Story by Kacen Bayless

People wait in line to work with staff at the Jackson County Assessment office on Friday, March 29, 2024, in Independence, Missouri. By Nick Wagner

NO. 6: AFTER OUTCRY OVER PROPERTY TAX HIKE, MO TO VOTE ON BIG CHANGE IN JACKSON COUNTY

The upcoming ballot question comes amid fury from Jackson County homeowners after a dramatic increase in property assessments. | Published May 1, 2025 | Read Full Story by Kacen Bayless

Rep. Chris Brown, a Kansas City Republican. By Tim Bommel

NO. 7: KC HOUSING LAW LIKELY DOOMED AFTER MISSOURI REPUBLICANS PASS BILL TARGETING IT

Renters and tenants advocates had celebrated the Kansas City ordinance but some landlords despised the measure. | Published May 7, 2025 | Read Full Story by Jonathan Shorman Kacen Bayless

NO. 8: AN 11TH-HOUR PLAN TO KEEP CHIEFS, ROYALS IN MISSOURI? TOP REPUBLICANS TO DISCUSS

The anticipated gathering comes as Missouri lawmakers are poised to debate a bill to potentially lure the Kansas City Royals to Clay County. | Published May 12, 2025 | Read Full Story by Kacen Bayless Sam McDowell Jonathan Shorman

Former Sen. Christopher ‘Kit’ Bond, who served Missouri in the U.S. Senate for 24 years, died Tueday at age 86. Bond is seen here giving a Memorial Day address at the Liberty Memorial

NO. 9: KIT BOND, FORMER MISSOURI GOVERNOR, U.S. SENATOR, DEAD AT 86

Christopher ‘Kit’ Bond changed the skyline of Kansas City, championing construction or reconstruction of Union Station, The World War I Museum, 18th & Vine and bridge that bears his name. | Published May 13, 2025 | Read Full Story by Eric Adler

Fans tailgated ahead of the Kansas City Chiefs game against the Buffalo Bills during the AFC Championship Game on Sunday, Jan. 26, 2025, at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium. By Tammy Ljungblad

NO. 10: CHIEFS, ROYALS STADIUM PLAN IN JEOPARDY AFTER RESISTANCE IN MISSOURI SENATE

The measure was moving through the legislature at a dizzying pace, but faced fierce opposition when it reached the Senate. | Published May 14, 2025 | Read Full Story by Kacen Bayless

Missouri Gov. Mike Kehoe enters the House chamber ahead of his State of the State speech. In February, he signed and executive order banning DEI initiatives from all state agencies. By Tim Bommel

NO. 11: MISSOURI’S GOVERNOR SOLD CARS. CAN HE SELL A CHIEFS, ROYALS STADIUMS PLAN?

Approval of the governor’s plan would mark a seismic moment for the Kansas City area, signifying Missouri’s first major response to Kansas in the protracted fight over the future of the teams. | Published May 14, 2025 | Read Full Story by Kacen Bayless

The summary above was drafted with the help of AI tools and edited by journalists in our News division. All stories listed were reported, written and edited by McClatchy journalists.