Missouri Press Association
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The following is a legislative update from Clarkston Nelson, LLC concerning the Missouri General Assembly’s special legislative session. Use the information within to develop local coverage of issues important to your readers.
Governor Mike Kehoe (R) announced last week that the Missouri General Assembly will gather for a special session, beginning at noon today, June 2, to consider storm-related issues, the Chiefs and Royals stadiums in Kansas City, and several projects around the state.
The special session will be focused on three main components: providing additional resources to Missourians affected by recent storms and tornadoes; driving economic development through a tax incentive program for the Chiefs and Royals; and making critical budget appropriations on several projects.
Storms in March and May, along with April flooding, have affected many Missourians, the Governor said, resulting in loss of life and severe damage to homes, businesses, and public infrastructure.
He is asking the General Assembly to consider legislation establishing an income tax deduction for the insurance policy deductible incurred by homeowners and renters. This financial relief would be capped at $5,000 per household per disaster per calendar year, he said, and would also continue for future storms this year. Also, he wants to allow more Missourians to apply for emergency housing assistance, home repair, and construction grants. Missouri Housing Development Commission grants totaling $25 million in general revenue would be available to applicants on a first come-first serve basis, he is proposing.
Governor Kehoe also discussed extending the sunset on amateur sports tax credits, which are critically important to multiple cities and regions across the state. “Also, to help retain our major sports teams in Missouri, we are calling on the General Assembly to enact legislation to modify tax incentives on sporting events. The Kansas City Chiefs and Royals are Missouri’s teams.”
The Show Me State Sports Investment Act was introduced at the end of the regular session and received very strong support from the House of Representatives, the Governor noted.
“This is about economic development, not just football and baseball.” He noted the amount of tax revenue and jobs that would be supported by the stadiums and teams remaining in the state, not moving to Kansas or elsewhere. He said the state has worked for months with legislators, local leaders, and teams so that Missouri has a competitive package on the table.
The Show Me State Sports Investment Act is a good deal for Missouri taxpayers, he said. The money dedicated to the bond payments is up to the amount of revenues historically generated by the teams. This is the same amount of revenue the state stands to lose if either team relocates to any other state, he said. This plan will require local contributions, too.
On the appropriations front, the Governor said his call includes some critical appropriations that didn’t make it across the finish line this past session in House Bill 19, including a proposed $25 million for the University of Missouri Research Reactor (MURR). Other projects noted are a new 200-bed mental health hospital in Kansas City, a new crime lab for Highway Patrol Troop E, new livestock barns at the Missouri State Fairgrounds, and various projects at Missouri state parks and National Guard facilities across the state. (The MURR project’s proposed appropriation was originally $50 million in House Bill 19.)
“As legislators return to Jefferson City next week, I hope they will find common ground on these priorities for our state,” Governor Kehoe said. Special session bills will kick off in the Senate, it was noted.
You can view the Governor's full press release Here.
Additionally, the special session proclamation will be uploaded to the Governor’s website once it is available.
