KANSAS (KSNT) – The clock is ticking for the Chiefs and the Royals as Kansas tries to lure the teams across state lines.
The Missouri senate has now passed a bill rivaling the offer that Kansas made last year. The bill passed through the senate early Thursday morning. It will now head to the House of Representatives.
Kansas is offering to use STAR bonds to pay up to 70% of construction costs for new stadiums for the teams. The bill being debated by Missouri lawmakers is only offering to pay up to 50% of those costs.
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The offer from Kansas comes with a rapidly approaching deadline, June 30. Kansas House Speaker Daniel Hawkins has stated the deadline will not be extended. Missouri lawmakers are hoping to have a competitive offer on the table before that deadline.
State Representative Stephanie Sawyer Clayton believes, Kansas is a better fit for both teams.
“One of our strengths in Kansas is that we disagree on a lot of things, but democrats and republicans come together when it comes to doing business in this state. We are smart enough to know how to grow our state and how to grow our economy, and put those differences aside, and Missouri doesn’t seem to have that kind of collaboration,” Clayton said.
Last week, a Royals affiliate purchased land in Overland Park, indicating that the team may be preparing for a move across the state line.
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