QUESTION OF THE DAY: Is using public financing for professional sports teams a good investment?
Matthew Sanders
Gov. Mike Kehoe is calling lawmakers back to Jefferson City. The primary purpose — a public financing package to help keep the Kansas City Chiefs and Royals in Missouri.
Kehoe laid out his plans Tuesday for a special session that will take place next month. The main piece of the session will be legislation to help the Chiefs upgrade Arrowhead Stadium and the Royals pay for a new ballpark in downtown Kansas City.
The governor used economics as his reason for calling the session. The Kansas City professional sports franchises mean big money for the state, making public financing a good investment, Kehoe says.
But others have disputed that argument, saying the government should not use tax money to pay for wealthy owners to build or refurbish stadiums. Still others say research shows such public financing isn’t worth the cost.
What do you think? Let us know by voting in the poll.