KANSAS CITY, Mo. (KCTV) – Missouri Gov. Mike Parson’s public moment in Kansas City Monday was a ceremonial bill signing that had nothing to do with sports teams. But behind the scenes, he was also meeting with elected officials in two area counties to hammer out a plan to keep the city’s two biggest pro sports teams from fleeing to Kansas.
His visit comes after Kansas passed a law that would allow for a lot of sales tax dollars directed at luring the teams away.
Before meeting with team ownership, he said he needs to be sure he has a unified front.
“There’s lots of options out there, lots of options the state has, the city has and the county has, but all three need to be working in the same direction,” Parson said.
But he also insisted a different version of divide and conquer was essential.
“You’ve got to split the Chiefs and Royals. They are two different entities in two different business adventures here that we’re going to be talking about,” Parson said.
When Jackson County voters nixed a sales tax deal this spring, it was a package deal for both teams. It would have partially funded renovations at Arrowhead in addition to the construction of a new baseball stadium in downtown Kansas City.
The governor said that was a mistake that can’t happen again.
For the Royals, he said, site selection will be important. He did not limit his discussions to just Kansas City and Jackson County. He had three private meetings, one with Kansas City Mayor Quinton Lucas, one with Jackson County Executive Frank White, and one with Clay County Commissioners and elected leaders from that county’s City of North Kansas City.
North Kansas City pitched a location to the Royals last year. They ended up in second place when the team selected Kansas City. First they endorsed a site in the East Village with an entertainment village built around it. Then they switched to a site in the East Crossroads, near Power and Light, with no additional entertainment build-out.
That East Crossroads site was at the center of multiple campaigns against the sales tax measure on the ballot.
“I think for the Royals, you’ve got to pick a site. You’ve got to pick a site, figure out what’s it gonna cost, what is the things that you need to build a stadium,” Parson said. “And I think one thing that’s lost is this is much bigger than the stadiums, what we’re talking about. We’re talking about the venues around it.”
As for Arrowhead, Kansas is offering tax-based funding for a whole new stadium, possibly with a retractable dome. Parson is confident Missouri is still in the running with a pitch to keep the unique stadium and provide improvements.
“I think if you refurbish Arrowhead, and the Royals move out, that gives the Chiefs a lot of opportunities in that space,” Parson said. “If you look around the NFL or the major leagues, you’re seeing everybody go into that model is much more than just the stadium itself. And I think you’ll see that here in Kansas City at the end of the day.”
Before the Jackson County sales tax measure went to voters, Chiefs president Mark Donovan was asked about building an entertainment district around Arrowhead, which currently has very little to offer nearby in the realm of restaurants and hotels.
“Right now in this market, this is not a location that is worthy of development,” Donovan said in February.
On the topic of getting all the local governments on the same page, Parson admitted he had an uphill battle with White. The County Executive was adamantly opposed to the 3/8-cent sales tax to support a new Kauffman and renovated Arrowhead.
“I think you have to have a pretty frank talk with Frank,” Parson said shortly before they met. “I think things have changed since then. You know, we were trying to do the initial one with both of them together.”
White issued a lengthy statement following their meeting saying it was a productive conversation in which he told Parson what he has stated publicly for more than a year.
“Maintaining the current financial arrangement is not in the best interest of Jackson County and its residents as it hampers our ability to provide essential health and public safety services,” White wrote. “Governor Parson understands these challenges and commends our commitment to fiscal responsibility.”
White did not give any indication of what elements would need to be included for one team or another to get his support.
“I want to thank Governor Parson for his service to Missouri and for his willingness to work collaboratively with us on this and many other issues,” White concluded his statement. “Together, we can find a solution that ensures the Chiefs and Royals remain a proud part of Jackson County without compromising the financial well-being of our community.”
Parson has only six months left in office. He was confident he could at least get the ball rolling during that time.
“We will be talking with the Chiefs organization, the Royals organization, but today was just the beginning of several meetings,” Parson said.
Copyright 2024 KCTV. All rights reserved.
Click the + Icon To See Additional Sharing Options
Missouri Gov. Mike Kehoe has announced five appointments to state boards and commissions, including one reappointment.
Rachel Beushausen of Springfield was appointed to the Missouri State Foster Care and Adoption Board.
Beushausen previously served as an organizational and talent development assistant in the human resources department at Missouri State University. She is an advocate for foster care and currently serves as secretary of the Southwest Missouri Foster and Adoptive Parent Advisory Board. She earned an associate degree from Ozarks Technical Community College and later received a bachelor’s degree in business administration from Drury University.
Alice Fuerst of Blue Springs was appointed to the State Oil and Gas Council.
Fuerst has taught geology as a part-time instructor at Metropolitan Community College in Kansas City since 1997. She is a member of the Association of Missouri Geologists and serves as secretary and treasurer of the Missouri section of the American Institute of Professional Geologists. Her previous public service includes roles as a member and chairperson of the Blue Springs Solid Waste Management Commission, vice chairperson of the Missouri Department of Natural Resources Well Installation Board, and geologist with the Environmental Protection Agency. Fuerst earned a bachelor’s degree in geology from Stephens College and a master’s degree in geology from the University of Missouri.
Jennifer “Beth” Houf of Jefferson City was appointed to the Children’s Trust Fund Board.
Houf serves as principal of Capital City High School in the Jefferson City School District. She is a member of several organizations and boards, including the National Association of Secondary School Principals, the Missouri Association of Secondary School Principals, and Lincoln University’s REGAL Advisory Board. She earned a bachelor’s degree in elementary education, a master’s degree in education curriculum and instruction, an educational specialist degree, and a Doctor of Education in educational leadership and policy analysis from the University of Missouri.
Drew Lock of La Plata was appointed to the State Soil and Water Districts Commission.
Lock serves as president of Lock Farms Inc. and manager of Lock Land & Livestock LLC in northeastern Missouri. He is involved in agricultural and community organizations, including the Missouri Farm Bureau Board, where he serves as a member, and the Adair-Schuyler County Farm Bureau, where he serves as president. He is also a member of the Missouri Cattlemen’s Association and the La Plata FFA Advisory Board. Lock earned a bachelor’s degree in agricultural science from Northwest Missouri State University.
Craig Stevenson of Hallsville was reappointed to the Missouri State Foster Care and Adoption Board.
Stevenson serves as population health strategy manager for Home State Health and previously worked as director of policy and advocacy for Kids Win Missouri. He also serves on the stewardship committee of Centralia United Methodist Church and is president of the Hallsville R-IV School District Board of Education. Stevenson earned a bachelor’s degree in political science and a master’s degree in public affairs from the University of Missouri.
Post Views: 1
Click the + Icon To See Additional Sharing Options
Sheriff Jeff Crites with the St. Francois County Sheriff’s Department has launched a community education series, and the Daily Journal is pleased to share it with our readers. This installment informs about Missouri’s “Book and Release” law.
In 2019 Missouri passed legislation that changed how certain arrests are handled. Think you know what it means? Let’s find out!
Be sure to read the full explanation at the end of the quiz.
Question 1:
Under Missouri’s Book and Release law, what happens to individuals arrested for nonviolent offenses like trespassing or shoplifting?
A) They are held in jail until trial
B) They are immediately released without any charges
C) They are booked, given a court date, and released without being held in jail
D) They must post bail before release
Question 2:
Who decides whether someone is released under this law?
A) The arresting officer
B) The local police department
C) The law itself – officers must follow the statute
D) The Mayor
Question 3:
What is the primary goal of the Book and Release policy?
A) Increase jail occupancy
B) Reduce paperwork for police
C) Minimize unnecessary pretrial detention for low-level offenses
D) Eliminate court appearances
Question 4:
True or False: The Book and Release law applies to all criminal offenses in Missouri.
________________________________________
Answers:
1. C – Individuals are processed (fingerprinted, photographed, etc.), given a court date, and released without being jailed.
2. C – Law enforcement does not make discretionary decisions about release; they are required to follow the statute.
3. C – The law aims to reduce strain on jails and avoid holding people unnecessarily for minor infractions.
4. False – It applies only to certain nonviolent, low-level offenses.
________________________________________
Did you get them all right?
Missouri’s Book and Release legislation was enacted as part of broader criminal justice reforms that took effect in 2019. Specifically, the Missouri Supreme Court implemented new rules that changed how arrests and pretrial procedures are handled for certain nonviolent offenses. These rules were designed to reduce pretrial detention and ensure that individuals charged with low-level crimes are not held in jail because they can’t afford bail.
Missouri’s Book and Release law applies to a specific set of nonviolent, low-level offenses, where the goal is to avoid unnecessary pretrial detention for individuals who pose little risk to public safety. While the law doesn’t list every offense by name, here’s a general breakdown of the types of crimes typically covered:
Common Offenses Eligible for Book and Release
• Trespassing
• Shoplifting or petty theft
• Driving with a suspended license
• Disorderly conduct
• Minor drug possession (e.g., small amounts of marijuana)
• Vandalism (low-dollar damage)
• Public intoxication
• Failure to appear (in some cases)
These offenses are usually classified as misdemeanors or ordinance violations, and the law mandates that officers issue a citation and release the individual after booking, rather than holding them in jail.
Offenses Not Covered
The law does not apply to:
• Violent crimes (e.g., assault, robbery, domestic violence)
• Felony-level offenses
• Crimes involving weapons or threats
• Repeat offenses that indicate a flight risk or danger to the public
Law enforcement does not decide who gets released. The statute itself determines eligibility, and officers are required to follow it. This ensures consistent treatment across jurisdictions and removes discretionary bias from the process.
This information is a factual explanation of Missouri law and established criminal‑procedure rules. The details provided reflect statutory requirements and Missouri Supreme Court mandates, not personal opinion or commentary.
Stay safe and take care!
Red Flag Warning issued for heightened fire danger in Southern Nevada
Best of NH 2024 Breweries, Wine, Spirits, Cocktails & Bars
Teen girl injured following shooting in Atlantic City, investigation underway
Animal Humane New Mexico holds first DogiCon adoption event
North Carolina is the 10th most concerned about energy bills, study finds
Jenniene Parks
Westerville North’s Tony Cornett shows skills at Ohio State team camp
Early voting begins this week ahead of June 16 primary election in Oklahoma
