SB3 authorizes tax credits for "sporting events" and the expenditure of state funds for "athletic and entertainment facility" projects.
The Senate passed SB3 on June 6, 2025, by a vote of 19 to 13. We have assigned pluses to the nays because government has no business subsidizing professional sports. Privately-owned billion-dollar organizations, such as the Kansas City Chiefs and Kansas City Royals, can more than afford to build their own stadiums. They need zero handouts from taxpayers. "Economic development" is nothing other than a cliché used by corporatist cronies to steal proliferate amounts of public money (in this case, up to 50% of the cost a new or renovated stadium) and finance their corrupt "pork-barrel" projects, in violation of the principles of free-market enterprise. In addition, this bill conflicts with several provisions of the Missouri Constitution, including those against grants of public money to private persons, special law, and multiple subjects. Nevertheless, the U.S. Constitution's Bill of Rights and 14th Amendment were written to "promote the general Welfare" of all Americans, not to pick economic "winners" and "losers."
United States Constitution
Fifth Amendment
No person shall be held to answer for a capital, or otherwise infamous crime, unless on a presentment or indictment of a Grand Jury, except in cases arising in the land or naval forces, or in the Militia, when in actual service in time of War or public danger; nor shall any person be subject for the same offence to be twice put in jeopardy of life or limb; nor shall be compelled in any criminal case to be a witness against himself, nor be deprived of life, liberty, or property, without due process of law; nor shall private property be taken for public use, without just compensation.
United States Constitution
Ninth Amendment
The enumeration in the Constitution, of certain rights, shall not be construed to deny or disparage others retained by the people.
United States Constitution
14th Amendment Section 1
All persons born or naturalized in the United States, and subject to the jurisdiction thereof, are citizens of the United States and of the State wherein they reside. No State shall make or enforce any law which shall abridge the privileges or immunities of citizens of the United States; nor shall any State deprive any person of life, liberty, or property, without due process of law; nor deny to any person within its jurisdiction the equal protection of the laws.
