Three Kansas City-area lawmakers on Thursday filed legislation to create a new stadium funding program, opening a path for Missouri to offer incentives to keep the Kansas City Chiefs and Royals in the state.

The bills were filed by Sen. Barbara Washington, a Kansas City Democrat; Rep. Sherri Gallick, a Belton Republican; and Rep. Mark Sharp, a Kansas City Democrat. And Kansas City Mayor Quinton Lucas’ office told The Star he was involved in discussions about the measures before the lawmakers introduced the bills Thursday.

“For me personally, (I filed) the bill just to kind of do everything I can to try to protect the teams and hopefully keep them here,” Washington said in an interview with The Star. “But I would like to see a tri-fold effort between the city, the county, and the state before we really move forward with financing this.”