Kill the two Kansas City sales tax increases on the Nov. 4 ballot

We’re on a mission today to find someone — anyone — who’s going to support the two sales tax increases on Kansas City’s Nov. 4 ballot.

Question 1 would boost the tax by a quarter cent for 25 years for “funding capital improvements.” Question 2 is a new eighth-cent tax that would last 25 years “providing a source of funds for public transportation purposes.”

The City Council several years ago refused to ask voters to approve these taxes, even though longtime activist Clay Chastain had secured enough initiative petition signatures to qualify for a ballot. A long legal wrangle ensued, resulting in the election this fall.

In current dollars, the higher taxes eventually could generate $1.25 billion.

So who’s voting “yes” next month?

Not Mayor Sly James.

“We can do other things that are more well thought out,” James said. He pointed out it’s unclear how the funds would be used.

How about Chastain, who’s been fighting for years to put the taxes before voters?

Earlier this week he badmouthed James’ lack of leadership on transit matters, while announcing he planned to run against the mayor in 2015.

However, both potential candidates now are on the same page on this topic.

In an Oct. 1 email to reporters, Chastain wrote about his “radical reversal of positions” on the taxes, concluding, “I urge all voters not to be railroaded by Sly and to vote no on KC Questions #1 & #2 November 4.”

He said the council had not passed a resolution committing the city to use the taxes for light rail and approving the taxes would “give Sly and the council a blank ... $1.25 billion check ... to use as they please.”

Of course, contrary to Chastain’s claim, James opposes the two questions.

There’s also been no move to raise funds to approve the questions from construction companies and similar businesses that usually back tax increases to create jobs for laborers, engineers and many others.

That brings us to The Star’s Editorial Board, which, as critics often contend, has never found a tax it doesn’t like. In reality, we’ve opposed plenty over the years.

Add Kansas City’s Question 1 and Question 2 to that list. We urge voters to say “NO” to both this fall.

This story was originally published October 7, 2014 at 3:23 PM with the headline "Kill the two Kansas City sales tax increases on the Nov. 4 ballot."