October 31
Three Democrats feast on weak GOP opponents
Claire McCaskill, Emanuel Cleaver and Jay Nixon are among the most popular politicians ever in Missouri.
October 24
Why a higher cigarette tax is very good for Missouri
It’s an easy call on Nov. 6: Vote for a higher cigarette tax, and Missourians will benefit mightily. Hiking the rock-bottom, lowest-in-the-nation tax from 17 cents a pack to 90 cents would generate from $300 million to $400 million a year. But don’t look for leadership on this issue from gubernatorial candidates Jay Nixon or Dave Spence.
October 17
How far to the right will Johnson Countians go?
The future of the most politically and economically powerful county in Kansas is up for grabs. On Nov. 6, voters will go a long way in deciding how Johnson County’s future will unfold. Or, as some critics of the far right contend, whether the county’s future is going to further unravel.
October 10
Politically, our region doesn’t carry much clout
In less than a month, Kansas City-area voters will go to the polls to determine who will fill many important governmental positions. Unfortunately, too many of those winners aren’t going to be from this region. Or, they aren’t going to have the firepower to get much done in Washington, Jefferson City or Topeka.
October 3
Change KC’s pension plans to help taxpayers, retirees
This year City Manager Troy Schulte has held more than a dozen closed-door meetings with union representatives on possible reforms to Kansas City's employee pension plans, but no proposal had been adopted yet by all the factions. Keeping the pressure on is a good thing, especially as the city’s unfunded pension liabilities keep growing.
September 26
Our area’s development strategies have flopped
The Kansas City region needs much more dynamic leadership at its many economic devolopment agencies. It needs better cooperation among politicians to woo private investment. Other metro areas have ramped up their games. We must stop lagging behind.
September 19
Nice windup, mayor, but we need follow-through
Kansas City Mayor Sly James these days is looking like the good Mark Funkhouser, the one who repeatedly pledged to provide excellent basic services to Kansas Citians and to keep a close eye on how City Hall used their tax dollars. This is an encouraging development.
September 12
Google this: Can KC cash in on high-tech ambitions?
Is Kansas City going to be Version 2.0 of Seattle, Austin or Boston, attracting gobs of young people eager to live an urban lifestyle while creating lots of cool high-tech companies? Maybe. And maybe not. Take that as a challenge to all the ardent believers in Kansas City’s future, not as a cranky never-going-to-happen statement.
August 29
Try new tactics to combat billboard blight in KC
Contrary to what billboard owners are contending — that there’s an “assault” under way to get rid of their signs — something better should be happening at City Hall. Elected officials must be vigorous in removing dilapidated and illegal signs. That would be a well-earned victory for Kansas Citians.
August 22
Image aside, Kansas Citians are far from risk-averse
It gets rather tiresome beating back the story line — promoted by elected officials, some in the business sector and too many residents — that this city can’t become a world-class one because it’s too conservative. Good things don’t just magically happen. People have to make bold decisions to try to make them happen.
August 15
When corporate welfare is taken to the extreme
Local school districts, counties, libraries and other taxing jurisdictions don’t control how millions of dollars in public incentives are granted. Instead, state laws allow the decisions to be made by TIF commissions stacked with city-appointed members and by city councils. After years of wrangling and being ignored by city officials, the taxing jurisdictions are fit to be tied.
August 8
KC goes for gold; glow dims in Johnson County
If you’re looking for a leader in fearlessly acting to provide a superior quality of life for this region, Kansas City has put its best foot forward. Meanwhile, Johnson Countians look like they are ready to retrench after years of being the area’s movers and shakers.
August 1
KC voters should turn down problematic sales tax plan
Mayor Sly James, riding high early in this first term, is working hard to convince voters to approve a half-cent sales tax increase that would help finance the city’s parks department and better maintain city streets. However, once again, a mayor and other city officials have put forward a plan that is not well organized and is not a high priority for taxpayers.
July 25
A tete-a-tete with mayor ends without fist bump
Sly James was one ticked off mayor at the start of our face-to-face meeting Tuesday afternoon, after I had written about a mailed advertisement supporting the half-cent sales tax increase on the Aug. 7 ballot, then used two words to describe the ad: “shameful” and “deceitful.” The mayor made it clear he was hurt I had questioned his ethics.
July 18
Waiting for more details on KC’s sales tax plan
Blunt promises have been made in the last year to reform Kansas City government, but the results so far haven’t been nearly as impressive as the rhetoric. That’s why I and many other Kansas Citians are still evaluating whether to support the permanent half-cent sales tax increase Aug. 7.
July 11
Tax supporters still must offer a convincing case
Just minutes after the All-Star Game ended Tuesday night, I tweeted a thank you to Mayor Sly James for his passionate work on behalf of Kansas City during the recent festivities.
July 4
Forget fear of ‘flyover’ curse, I’m proud of KC
Kansas City’s tiresome and unnecessary inferiority complex risks wider exposure as the Major League Baseball All-Star Game activities roll out over the next few days.
June 27
‘Run for your life’ works, but just don’t overdo it
Unless I drop dead on my planned eight-mile training run this morning, I’ll continue to believe that strenuous exercise is one good way to stay healthy and live a full life. I believe so even though the public just got a dose of bad news about exercise, about how too much of it can lead to formation of scar tissue in hearts that increases the possibility of dangerous rhythms.
June 20
To catch more criminals, victims must speak up
Plenty of people insist the problem of uncooperative shooting victims is an ages-old one — complicated by racial issues and mistrust of law enforcement officials — that can’t be solved. Kansas City’s first black chief, Darryl Forté, says he’s going to try to do that, and more power to him. But plenty of factors are working against the effort.
June 13
KC taxpayers should get ready to ante up again
Sewer and water bills are soaring in Kansas City, where the economy is still in the doldrums.
June 6
KC water customers’ pain is private sector’s gain
When customers rip open a monthly water bill, they aren’t happy to see sewer and water rates marching higher. But private companies see something far more positive when they look at the Kansas City Water Services Department. A cash cow.
May 30
Once again, rail plans hang in the balance
This could be a great year for transit in the Kansas City area. Unless, of course, it turns out not to be. Failure wouldn’t be a big surprise for this region, still one of the most backward and underserved in the nation when it comes to alternative forms of transportation. But it sure isn’t for lack of trying.
May 23
Why the mayor shelved his big property tax plan
What happens when mighty Superman turns into mild-mannered Clark Kent?
January 23
Why conservatives Republicans control Johnson County
In the last four years conservative Republicans have taken near-total control of state and federal positions in Johnson County. How did they do it?
March 13
Five big challenges for Sly James and KC
Count on Mayor Sly James to offer plenty of positive news about Kansas City at his State of the City speech next Tuesday. But Kansas Citians still face myriad challenges that deserve more of James’ attention in the future. Here are five — a combination of fiscal and social issues — that James knows he will confront in the months ahead.
