Mike Kehoe's 2025 legislative agenda highlights

The articles share a focus on Mike Kehoe's legislative priorities in 2025, addressing diverse topics such as stadium funding, education, and policing. Kehoe works on keeping the Chiefs and Royals in Missouri, as he negotiates with lawmakers to pass funding for new stadiums. This effort interacts with tax assessment disputes in Jackson County, which aim to influence stadium funding votes.

Kehoe's legislative agenda also includes a proposal to bring state control over the St. Louis police, highlighting broader governance strategies. This proposal, supported by some Democrats and passed by the Missouri Senate, contrasts with local activists' opposition. Amidst those priorities, a significant push involves education reforms. Kehoe assigns new members to the State Board of Education, sparking debates on their qualifications and the implications for schools. Kehoe's plan to include gold and silver as legal tender aims to "restore economic freedom," although the implementation faces skepticism.

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. 1: MISSOURI GOV. MIKE KEHOE BANS DIVERSITY PROGRAMS FROM ALL STATE AGENCIES

Kansas City activists and lawmakers have said the broader push against diversity initiatives signals a step backwards in the fight over civil rights | Published February 18, 2025 | Read Full Story by Kacen Bayless

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. 2: 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. 3: KC DEMOCRATS JOIN GOP PUSH FOR STATE CONTROL OF ST. LOUIS POLICE. WHAT’S IT MEAN FOR KCPD?

The vote has frustrated local activists, who have long fought to bring Kansas City back in control of its own police department. | Published March 11, 2025 | Read Full Story by Kacen Bayless Cayli Yanagida

In February, following the Trump administration’s efforts to prohibit DEI (Diversity, Equity and Inclusion) in federally-backed institutions, The Men of Color Academy at the University of Missouri-Kansas City changed its name to Men of Character Academy.

NO. 4: KC COLLEGE QUIETLY SCRUBS DEI LANGUAGE FROM CAMPUS PROGRAMS AMID TRUMP CRACKDOWN

In February, the “Men of Color Academy” was quietly changed to the “Men of Character Academy,” in response to a letter from the Trump administration. | Published April 11, 2025 | Read Full Story by Eric Adler

NO. 5: MIKE KEHOE’S REFORMS FOR MISSOURI SCHOOLS ARE POLITICS, NOT SOUND POLICY | OPINION

The State Board of Education needs experts in education, not corporate attorneys and D.C. lobbyists. | Opinion | Published April 25, 2025 | Read Full Story by Tristan Satterlee

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

NO. 7: MISSOURIANS COULD SOON PAY WITH GOLD & SILVER AFTER LAWMAKERS APPROVE ODD BILL

The controversial legislation is headed to Republican Gov. Mike Kehoe’s desk. | Published May 7, 2025 | Read Full Story by Kacen Bayless

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

NO. 8: 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

A view from a distance of Kauffman Stadium as the Royals faced off against the Colorado Rockies on Tuesday, April 22, 2025. By Dominick Williams

NO. 9: MISSOURI LEADERS SAY PLAN TO KEEP CHIEFS, ROYALS WILL BOOST ECONOMY. EXPERTS DISAGREE

Researchers over decades have found that stadiums aren’t major drivers of economic development. | Published May 14, 2025 | Read Full Story by Jonathan Shorman

NO. 10: 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

Missouri Gov. Mike Kehoe walks up to a lectern before a news conference at the governor’s office in Jefferson City on Friday. Kehoe plans to call a special session for a stadiums funding proposal for the Chiefs and Royals. By Jonathan Shorman

NO. 11: MISSOURI WILL TRY AGAIN TO PASS FUNDING FOR CHIEFS, ROYALS STADIUMS, GOVERNOR SAYS

Gov. Mike Kehoe didn’t announce a date for the special session, but indicated it could begin in a matter of weeks. | Published May 16, 2025 | Read Full Story by Jonathan Shorman

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.