Kansas politicians officially kick off their campaign to lure Chiefs from Missouri with new stadium funding
Kansas politicians want to lure the Kansas City Chiefs from Missouri, and they've officially kicked off their campaign to get the job done. Scoop and Score, Inc., a lobbyist group including several former politicians, launched a new website on Tuesday in a new effort to promote a STAR bonds plan to lure the Chiefs to Kansas from […]
Kansas politicians want to lure the Kansas City Chiefs from Missouri, and they've officially kicked off their campaign to get the job done.
Scoop and Score, Inc., a lobbyist group including several former politicians, launched a new website on Tuesday in a new effort to promote a STAR bonds plan to lure the Chiefs to Kansas from Missouri. The page includes previously seen renderings from David Manica of Manica Architecture, a list of facts and myths regarding the efforts to bring the Chiefs to Kansas, and a plea for fans to contact Kansas legislators to ensure the Chiefs stay in Kansas City.
This push from lobbyists is just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to the push to bring the Chiefs to Kansas.
A new poll indicates Kansas voters support using STAR bonds to lure Chiefs across state lines
FOX 4 Kansas City reporter John Holt reported on a recent poll commissioned by those who want to see the Chiefs move across state lines to Kansas. 57% of voters indicated that they support the use of STAR bonds, while only 27% indicated a "NO" vote. The rest remain undecided.
If you're unfamiliar with STAR bonds, here is a description from the Kansas Commerce Department:
Sales Tax and Revenue (STAR) Bonds are a financing tool that allows Kansas municipalities to issue bonds to finance the development of major commercial, entertainment and tourism projects. The bonds are paid off through the sales tax revenue generated by the development.
In the case of the Chiefs, the state of Kansas using STAR bonds to fund a new stadium would be the equivalent of borrowing against future sales tax revenue.
Kansas politicians release joint statement ahead of June special session
Kansas Senate President Ty Masterson and Kansas House Speaker Dan Hawkins released a joint statement on Tuesday. They've formally reached out to Chiefs CEO and Chairman Clark Hunt to invite the Chiefs to weigh in on the potential proposal and use of STAR bonds. Their statement claims that the organization has indicated they're "open to this conversation."
“The rich tradition and history of the Chiefs are beloved across the entire Kansas City region and throughout Kansas. The potential to establish a home for the Chiefs family here on the Kansas side of the state line is an opportunity that deserves a thorough conversation. We have reached out to the Chiefs organization and asked them to weigh in on the possibility of using Kansas’ unique STAR Bond funding tool and explore what that collaboration could hold. We’re excited that the Chiefs are open to this conversation and look forward to seeing what mutually beneficial opportunities might lie ahead for both the people of Kansas and the Chiefs franchise.”
The House Commerce Committee Chairman has since indicated that he expects the Chiefs to take part in a special STAR bond hearing on June 17, which is the day before the upcoming special session of the Kansas legislature on June 18.
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