Kansas City got federal infrastructure money. How about using it to fix up our roads? | Opinion
An ugly face
Where are the extravagant amounts of money President Joe Biden has designated for roads, streets and other infrastructure being used? Ukraine? Zimbabwe? The netherworld? Certainly not on any of the streets and highways we drive here.
Missouri 291 has way too many potholes, some of which have been there for months — ridiculous. And the failure to keep the grassy areas along the highway clean and mowed is disgusting.
What kind of impression do you think this lack of maintenance leaves in visitors’ minds? Someone needs to get with the program. Par for the course isn’t working too well.
- Sharon Holst, Independence
Better buses
In middle and high school I took the bus home from school, and anyone who has had this experience knows that breathing in exhaust from a diesel bus is not fun.
More than 20 million students ride school buses in this country, and we now have an opportunity to protect their health. Kansas City Public Schools should take advantage of a new federal grant for electric school buses. After a successful round of rebates in 2022, the Environmental Protection Agency is awarding an additional $400 million in grants and rebates this year for qualifying electric and low-emission school bus purchases, with a total of $5 billion available for bus replacements over the next four years.
Electric school buses are a win for our children, our communities and our climate. As emitters of greenhouse gases, diesel buses are completely out of step with our effort to address the climate emergency. Also, electric buses cost 60% to 80% less to maintain and operate than diesel buses.
As a resident of Kansas City, I’m excited at the prospect of shifting our bus fleet to a healthy, zero-carbon alternative. Superintendent Jennifer Collier should have the district apply for this grant funding today.
- Adam Rossi, Kansas City
Yes, gun laws work
Claims such as one in a July 16 letter to the editor that gun laws don’t reduce gun crimes ignore compelling evidence. Numerous studies show that stricter gun regulations correlate with lower rates of gun violence. States with stronger firearm laws and lower gun ownership have fewer gun fatalities and homicides. Countries such as Australia and Japan implemented stringent gun control measures and saw significant decreases in gun-related deaths.
According to the Gun Violence Archive, more than 23,000 people have been killed by guns this year. There have been 389 mass shootings, injuring and killing hundreds of people. Australia’s response to a 1996 massacre that killed 35 people in Port Arthur led to a ban on semiautomatic rifles and shotguns, resulting in a 59% reduction in gun-related homicides.
Advocating for stricter gun laws is not anti-gun but pro-life and aims to enhance societal safety. Sensible regulations prevent guns from falling into the wrong hands, including criminals and individuals with mental health issues. Background checks, waiting periods and restrictions on high-capacity magazines save lives.
Responsible gun ownership and limiting access to firearms create a safer environment. Stricter gun laws strike a balance between individual rights and public safety. Evidence supports their effectiveness in reducing gun violence. It’s crucial to recognize that advocating for these measures is a step toward safeguarding society for all.
- Shawn Kalmus, Kansas City
Cleaning up
On my daily walk with my dog Monday morning, I saw some out-of-state trucks in storm-damaged areas. I talked to one of the workers, who told me they were from Tennessee. He said they go wherever there has been damage from extreme weather. They are known as “storm chasers.”
Thanks so much to Evergy and all the crews from all over who have come to our area to help with the damage. Thanks also to tree services helping to clear the debris.
- Don Bates, Leawood
This story was originally published July 19, 2023 at 5:05 AM.