County legislators override executive, ensuring a vote for potential KC stadium funding
KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Lawmakers in Jackson County, Missouri, voted Monday to override Jackson County Executive Frank White’s veto and place the renewal of a sales tax on the April ballot to help fund a new ballpark for the Kansas City Royals.
The three-eighths-cent tax, which is used for stadium maintenance at the Truman Sports Complex under the current lease, would also help pay for future renovations to Arrowhead Stadium for the Kansas City Chiefs.
Just last week, it looked like there wouldn’t be enough votes to override the veto. But lawmakers Jalen Anderson and Sean Smith changed their minds after a barrage of public pressure and continued negotiations with the teams, and the result was a 7-2 vote in favor of moving the proposal to the April 2 ballot.
“I am grateful that so many of my colleagues joined me in voting for the overthrow,” said Jackson County Legislator DaRon McGee, who called White’s decision to veto the proposal “tone deaf” by calling voters out. right to make their own decisions.
White was a five-time All-Star for the Royals and is a member of their Hall of Fame.
“Thanks to the overwhelming support of our citizens, including business, unions, nonprofits and other community organizations, we have prevailed and can now move forward with the important work ahead,” said McGee. “There is still a lot of work to do so that voters are fully informed before the April elections. I join my colleagues in saying that we are prepared to do that work.”
Lawmakers initially voted 8-1 to approve the voting terms for the tax, but White said in his veto that “it is not a good deal for taxpayers” because it did not provide sufficient certainty about the franchises’ commitment to the county .
The Royals and Chiefs released a joint statement after White’s veto saying they respected his authority but that “we will continue to work with lawmakers to ensure this ordinance comes to a vote.” The teams also stepped up their social and traditional media campaigns for public support, and they received the support of many trade groups and unions.
“We took an important step forward today,” the teams said in a statement on Monday. “We thank Jackson County legislators for their attention and concern on this matter. We look forward to continuing to work with them and allowing voters to decide on April 2 on the extension of the long-standing partnership between the province and our teams.”
The Royals had been weighing competing offers from Jackson County and Clay County, just across the Missouri River, for sites for their new ballpark. They planned to make their decision in September but postponed it indefinitely, and only in recent weeks have they announced their plans to build in Jackson County.
However, they still haven’t decided on a site. The original plan was to build in an area known as the East Village, but they are also considering a location closer to the Power & Light District, where there are existing shops and restaurants.