STAR Bonds package makes waves amidst Kansas, Missouri border war truce

TOPEKA, Kan. (WIBW) – The economic truce between Kansas and Missouri could be over after Kansas legislators approved the STAR Bonds intended to lure the Kansas City Chiefs and Royals across the border.

In 2019, Governors Laura Kelly and Mike Parsons signed an agreement that prevented Kansas City metro communities from poaching each other’s businesses across state lines. Kelly claims the Chiefs were never discussed in the truce, but Kansas City, Mo. Mayor Quinton Lucas feels the Kansas lawmakers crossed the line.

”I do think that this ends what was a good compromise,” Lucas said, “I think that will long term be bad for the taxpayers and it’s something that frankly we all need to sit down and see if there’s a way we can rebuild.”

Kansas leadership insists this bill is meant to unite both sides and ensure the sports franchises are not swayed to relocate to a completely different part of the country.

“The fan base is on both sides of the line and we heard it in our debates that, ‘We have the benefit of the Chiefs over here,’” Kansas Senate President Ty Masterson explained. “Well, the same would be true in Kansas. It’s not really a war. We want to keep the Kansas City Chiefs in the Kansas City area because there would be a loss if we lost that franchise in this area.”

While the owners ultimately decide where the teams call home, Kansas now has a seat at the table.

“We don’t know if they’ll jump the state line but we have to do our part and now they can do their part,” Kansas Speaker of the House Dan Hawkins emphasized.

The ball now remains in Jackson Co., Missouri court, where voters rejected a sales tax to finance a new Royals stadium in downtown Kansas City, Missouri a few months ago.

“It was largely in part about leverage and the teams are in an exceptional leverage position,” Lucas said. “Now I think what they are able to say is, ‘What’s the best deal we can get over here and what’s the best deal we can get over here,’ and then at the end of the day, what’s the deal they’re going to take.”

The lease on the Chiefs and Royals’ current complex runs through 2031, but the clock is ticking with both teams recently emphasizing the need for renovations or relocation.

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