KC Reporter

Governor Mike Kehoe has called a special legislative session in Missouri, emphasizing the need for relief, retention, and responsibility. The session aims to address the aftermath of recent storms, support local businesses tied to sports franchises, and manage budgetary appropriations.

Governor Kehoe highlighted the importance of community support following natural disasters. "Every storm reveals what matters most and who we are here for," he stated. The session will propose direct financial relief and housing assistance for affected residents. A key proposal includes a new income tax deduction capped at $5,000 per household per disaster for insurance deductibles paid by homeowners and renters in disaster-affected areas.

Additionally, there is a push to expand eligibility for emergency grants and rental assistance through the Missouri Housing Development Commission (MHDC). If approved, income eligibility would increase from 50% to 75% of the regional Area Median Income. An additional $25 million appropriation is also proposed to bolster these efforts.

On business retention, Governor Kehoe stressed the significance of keeping sports teams like the Kansas City Chiefs and Royals in Missouri. He introduced the Show Me Sports Investment Act as a measure to retain jobs and protect local businesses through performance-based tax credits and bonds. "We are not handing out blank checks to billionaires," Kehoe clarified. Teams would bond money based on taxes they contribute, with repayments sourced from team-generated revenue.

Budgetary considerations include appropriations that were not finalized during the regular session. These include $25 million in General Revenue funds for the Radioisotope Science Center at MURR, funding for a new mental health hospital in Kansas City, a crime lab at Highway Patrol Troop E, livestock barns at Missouri State Fairgrounds, and projects across state parks and National Guard facilities.

Governor Kehoe urged legislators to set aside partisan differences for this session's critical issues. "A special session is not just a procedural tool – it’s an invitation to rise above all the noise," he said. Emphasizing leadership through collaboration rather than division, he called on lawmakers to meet Missourians' expectations by focusing on long-term solutions rather than short-term fixes.

The governor concluded by reminding legislators that their role is service-oriented: "Because Missourians didn’t send us here to work for ourselves. We’re here to serve them."