The Kansas City Star
Voters in Blue Springs will decide Tuesday whether to approve a tax that will affect not only the police department, but every shopper who comes to town. The city has proposed a half-cent sales tax to finance a new digital radio system, building renovations and the hiring of more officers and other staff.
A group backed by wealthy political activist Rex Sinquefield said Monday that it would pursue an initiative petition for local control of the Kansas City and St. Louis police departments. For decades, police forces in both cities have been controlled by boards dominated by gubernatorial appointees. The group, A Safer Missouri, hopes to put a measure on the ballot giving the cities independent control over the departments.
Supporters of a proposed Missouri ballot measure to allow for early voting can begin collecting signatures. The Missouri secretary of state’s office approved a summary of the initiative petition Thursday. Supporters must collect between 91,800 and 99,600 signatures. It would appear on the 2012 ballot.
It’s official. Kansas City voters will go to the polls April 5 to consider the renewal of the earnings tax. After some speculation that the measure might go on the March 22 ballot, the City Council voted today to place the earnings tax renewal question on the April ballot.
Clay Chastain will hold a news conference Wednesday at noon — and then begin gathering signatures for a new light rail plan to go on the ballot sometime next year. The plan has changed since July, when Chastain offered a light rail blueprint that would be paid for in part by a 3/8ths cent, 25-year Kansas City sales tax. The biggest change: Chastain has dropped a proposed $500 million, 25-year contribution from “regional” governments, including Johnson and Wyandotte counties, as well as Lee’s Summit, Raytown, and other communities.