A $25 million tax credit proposal for the Kansas City Chiefs to bring their summer training camp to St. Joseph drew buzz around the Capitol during the session’s opening week.

The Missouri Development Finance Board in December approved the package, which laid out $10 million for a training facility at Missouri Western State University, but signatures still are needed from three of the governor’s Cabinet members.

Some lawmakers, Republican and Democrat alike, have criticized giving credits to the Chiefs in light of a possible $340 million-plus budget shortfall and struggling economy. Gov.-elect Jay Nixon has yet to offer any public support or opposition to the proposal, of which the final paperwork won’t be ready until later this month.

In the meantime, the issue has become so contentious that House Minority Floor Leader Paul LeVota skirted the issue last week during a news conference, saying that opinions varied greatly among his caucus.

That didn’t stop Sen. Tim Green, D-St. Louis County, from authoring a remonstrance to the proposal, which he read Friday on the Senate floor.

“State tax incentives should be used to support small businesses, colleges and universities, job training and retraining programs and to help create new jobs that offer both average wages and health care for employees,” he said.

He advised “against the misplaced use of essential tax incentives.”

Senate President Pro Tem Charlie Shields, R-St. Joseph, said he doesn’t believe opposition from lawmakers will influence Mr. Nixon’s directors’ ultimate decision.

“The Missouri Development Finance Board exists for a reason, because politicians can take shots at these economic development proposals and never have to be the ones to sign off on them,” Mr. Shields said.

Court to consider

Montee’s legal address

A Buchanan County judge on Thursday will decide whether a Republican challenge of State Auditor Susan Montee’s ability to vote under her St. Joseph address goes to trial.

The complaint first came in November. Ms. Montee, a Democrat, has maintained her voter registration at the Miller Road home she shared with her ex-husband, James Montee, and she is still listed as an owner of the property with the Buchanan County Recorder of Deeds, said County Clerk Pat Conway.

Mr. Conway opted not to act on the challenge from Richard Goolsby, a former Republican committee chairman, who then submitted his concerns to circuit court. The complaint originally was sent to Mr. Conway by the law firm Graves Bartle & Marcus LLC, of Kansas City, which includes Todd Graves (brother of Republican Congressman Sam Graves) and State Sen. Matt Bartle, R-Lee’s Summit.

Judge Randall Jackson on Thursday will consider a motion to dismiss the challenge. Otherwise, a bench trial has been set for 9 a.m. March 24 in Division 1.

Armed locals to help with inauguration

Members of the 129th Field Artillery from Maryville, Mo., will welcome Missouri’s incoming governor with a 19-gun salute during today’s inauguration in Jefferson City.

The ceremony for Jay Nixon begins at noon on the Capitol steps.

Alyson E. Raletz covers the state Legislature for the News-Press. She can be reached at alysonraletz@npgco.com and (573) 636-2307.