Funding new stadiums for the Kansas City Chiefs and Royals with Missouri tax dollars may be a tough sell for state lawmakers, but one Republican senator says it’s worth it.Sen. Mike Cierpiot, a Republican from Lee’s Summit, believes the proposed funding would benefit taxpayers and the state economy.”We’re not giving this money to billionaires. We’re giving it to the stadiums, which is owned by the county,” Cierpiot said.Cierpiot emphasized that the money being considered for stadium use would be generated directly at the venues.”The money we’re thinking about giving to the stadiums is money that’s actually generated at the stadiums,” he said.He added that, beyond covering bond payments, the state would see ongoing financial returns and economic growth from increased spending in surrounding businesses.”On top of that, the goodwill having the Chiefs and Royals and Kansas City that we get nationally and actually worldwide,” Cierpiot said.Still, the proposal faces resistance in the Senate. Some Republicans are pushing for tax breaks instead, while Democrats have called for funding to address disaster relief. Tensions also remain after the majority used a rare procedural move to cut off debate on abortion and paid sick leave.”Anger and being irritated at the Senate is one thing. But what’s good for the community is also something,” Cierpiot said.He urged his colleagues to take a deeper view of the issue.”Policy makers should be more than bumper stickers. We should actually look deep into the policy,” he said.Cierpiot warned that without financial support, the Chiefs and Royals could leave Kansas City, a risk he hopes other lawmakers take seriously.Missouri governor shares details on special session for Chiefs and Royals, storm recovery:Kansas City Royals confirm affiliate bought Aspiria campus mortgage in Overland Park:
LEE’S SUMMIT, Mo. —
Funding new stadiums for the Kansas City Chiefs and Royals with Missouri tax dollars may be a tough sell for state lawmakers, but one Republican senator says it’s worth it.
Sen. Mike Cierpiot, a Republican from Lee’s Summit, believes the proposed funding would benefit taxpayers and the state economy.
“We’re not giving this money to billionaires. We’re giving it to the stadiums, which is owned by the county,” Cierpiot said.
Cierpiot emphasized that the money being considered for stadium use would be generated directly at the venues.
“The money we’re thinking about giving to the stadiums is money that’s actually generated at the stadiums,” he said.
He added that, beyond covering bond payments, the state would see ongoing financial returns and economic growth from increased spending in surrounding businesses.
“On top of that, the goodwill having the Chiefs and Royals and Kansas City that we get nationally and actually worldwide,” Cierpiot said.
Still, the proposal faces resistance in the Senate.
Some Republicans are pushing for tax breaks instead, while Democrats have called for funding to address disaster relief.
Tensions also remain after the majority used a rare procedural move to cut off debate on abortion and paid sick leave.
“Anger and being irritated at the Senate is one thing. But what’s good for the community is also something,” Cierpiot said.
He urged his colleagues to take a deeper view of the issue.
“Policy makers should be more than bumper stickers. We should actually look deep into the policy,” he said.
Cierpiot warned that without financial support, the Chiefs and Royals could leave Kansas City, a risk he hopes other lawmakers take seriously.
Missouri governor shares details on special session for Chiefs and Royals, storm recovery:
Kansas City Royals confirm affiliate bought Aspiria campus mortgage in Overland Park: