Staff Reports
In a shocking turn of events, the good people of Jackson County, Missouri have given a resounding “NO” to the proposed 40-year sales tax increase to fund new stadiums for the Kansas City Royals and renovations to the beloved Arrowhead Stadium, home of the Chiefs. With 57.8% of voters rejecting the tax, it’s clear that the hardworking folks of Jackson County aren’t willing to foot the bill for these expensive sports palaces.
The Royals and Chiefs, in a desperate plea to sway voters, promised to stay put in good ol’ Missouri if the tax increase was passed. But their pleas fell on deaf ears as the people made it clear that they won’t be bullied by threats to move the teams elsewhere. It’s heartwarming to see the people of Jackson County stand up for their hard-earned dollars and demand accountability from their sports teams.
Voters defeat 40-year sales tax for Kansas City sports stadiumshttps://t.co/1RWvhB8OuM
— The Center Square (@thecentersquare) April 3, 2024
Democratic Kansas City Mayor Quinton Lucas expressed his disappointment on X, the platform formerly known as Twitter, after the election results came in. He’s hopeful that he can work with the Chiefs and Royals to come up with a more agreeable plan that benefits everyone. Frankly, it’s about time these teams start showing some appreciation for the fans and the community that support them.
The saga began when the Jackson County Legislature voted to put the tax increase on the ballot last December, despite opposition from County Executive Frank White. White, a member of the Royals Hall of Fame, vetoed the ordinance but was overruled by the legislature. This back-and-forth only highlighted the lack of unity and common sense behind the push for the tax increase.
The Royals and Chiefs had big plans for new stadiums and renovations, to the tune of billions of dollars. They even spent a whopping $3 million on a campaign to push the tax increase through. But the people saw through their flashy PR moves and recognized that it’s the taxpayers who would ultimately foot the bill. It’s a victory for common sense and fiscal responsibility in the face of moneyed interests trying to line their pockets at the expense of hardworking Americans.
White’s criticism of the negotiations and the teams’ campaign spending seems to have struck a chord with the voters. His call for the teams to foot the bill for the special election cost is a bold move that resonates with the people who are tired of being taken advantage of. It’s high time the sports franchises start acting like responsible members of the community, rather than entitled entities expecting handouts from the taxpayers.
In the end, the defeat of the sales tax increase is a win for the people of Jackson County. It’s a message to the Royals and Chiefs that they can’t take their fans for granted, and that they need to earn their support rather than demand it through expensive PR campaigns. The future of sports in Jackson County may be uncertain, but one thing’s for sure: the people won’t be pushed around when it comes to their hard-earned money.
