2014: A year of questions, and answers

A year ago I wrote a newspaper column outlining 14 political questions to be answered in 2014.

How were they answered? Let’s take a look, as 2014 draws to a close.

1. Will Republicans pick Kansas City for their 2016 convention? The city is working hard on a bid, but presidential politics and behind-the-scenes infighting may damage the effort.

A: No. It turns out the lure of Ohio trumped other considerations.

2. Will Boeing will build a new aircraft in Missouri — or Kansas? Both states have made offers, but it’s still an even bet the company will keep its assembly plant in Washington state.

A: No. Boeing kept the plant in Washington.

3. Will Kansas City Mayor Sly James face a serious re-election challenger? Hard to believe, but city elections are a little more than a year away.

A: No. James has no serious opposition.

4. Will voters will be asked to approve a single-terminal airport? If the vote doesn’t come this year, it probably won’t be on the ballot until 2016.

A: No. There was no public vote, just a committment to hold one. We’ll see about 2016.

5. Will Hillary Clinton run for president?

A: TBD.

6. Will Kathleen Sebelius continue to run the Department of Health and Human Services?

A: No.

7. Will Kansas or Missouri expand Medicaid? If not, expansion in both states may be dead for some time, since the feds only promised to pick up the full cost of the added patients for three years, and two of those years will be down the drain.

A: No. They did not, and will not.

8. Will Missouri cut taxes? The mistakes and drafting errors that doomed the 2013 tax cut won't be repeated, and Gov. Jay Nixon may not be able to win a veto battle two years in a row.

A: Yes. A modest tax cut is now Missouri law.

9. Have the Kansas tax cuts worked? Gov. Sam Brownback promised more jobs and more residents if the Legislature slashed tax rates. A year later, the results are mixed, to say the least. A year from now the verdict will be in — on the tax policy, and on Brownback.

A: The tax cuts have not worked. And the voters’ verdict is in.

10. Will the Kansas Supreme Court provoke a showdown with the Legislature over school funding?

A: TBD

11. Does Nixon have a political future, and if so, what might it be?

A: Umm.....

12. Will Sen. Pat Roberts run out of conservatives to whom he can pander?

A: No. And GOP Sens. Jerry Moran and Roy Blunt took careful notes.

13. Can Kansas Democrats still be considered a major political party? They have a candidate for governor but have struggled to find well-qualified candidates for other important races.

A: Democrats filled out their slate nicely, but still lost ground. A major rebuild may be needed.

14. Can the Royals make the playoffs? Can the Chiefs win a playoff game?

A: Ummm.........

This story was originally published December 29, 2014 at 2:05 PM with the headline "2014: A year of questions, and answers."