Missouri voters approved sick leave. Kehoe’s repeal is a slap in the face | Opinion
Voices ignored
Missouri’s politicians again showed their disrespect for voters as Gov. Mike Kehoe signed the bill repealing the law establishing paid sick time for workers. (July 13, 18A, “Missourians voted for paid sick leave. Gov. Kehoe repeals it. This is ludicrous”) An overwhelming 57% of Missouri voters had approved the sick-leave law in last November’s election.
The action is a slap in the face to those who voted yes. And it’s not the first time lawmakers have messed with laws the voters approved through the state’s initiative petition process. That process allows residents to gather signatures in support of a proposal (such as sick leave, marijuana legalization or expanding Medicaid). If successful in gathering the thousands of signatures required, the proposal then goes on the ballot for a vote of the people.
The initiative petition is pure democracy — and politicians abhor it.
We’ve got to protect the initiative petition process, and that’s exactly what the Respect Missouri Voters campaign is working to do. Its proposal would limit the legislature’s ability to mess with successful initiatives and with the initiative petition process itself.
Ballot language is being finalized, and it’s expected that signatures will be gathered beginning later this summer. For more information, visit respectmovoters.org
- Pam Whiting, Kansas City
No signs?
A few friends and I went to the Music Hall on Sunday. I parked on the street at 11th and Wyandotte streets, where a sign delineated parking rules for Monday through Friday. There was not a “no parking” sign anywhere that the three of us in the car could see.
Imagine our surprise when all the cars on the street had parking tickets on their windshields when we returned. The signage was not clear. There was a scarcity of parking spaces anyway between all the construction and road closures.
Is this the situation that will greet visitors to the World Cup? Whether to visit downtown Kansas City for entertainment is getting to be a tough decision.
- Virginia S. Myers, Lee’s Summit
Basic service
The only really successful recycling programs are for metals, cardboard, paper and glass. But our approach to recycling is wrong, because the goal should not be about making money but about dealing with the trash that is created by our demands.
A for-profit approach does not work for recycling. Government intervention and subsidizing would help on a global scale. After all, one of the purposes of a government is to deal with this kind of issue.
- Michael J. Smith, Independence
Follow up
The story about allegations of horrific conditions experienced by a person working for Prism Real Estate Services was beyond eye-opening, and disheartening to say the least. (July 17, 2A, “Employees at KC real estate company called Black, migrant tenants ‘monkeys,’ lawsuit says”)
I certainly would be interested in a follow-up on this well-written article.
- Rick Irwin, Kansas City
Learning pays
It is deeply troubling that President Donald Trump is withholding at least $715 million from adult education funding — a decision that will devastate countless individuals striving for better lives and undercut the long-term strength of our economy. Adult education is not a luxury — it’s a necessity.
Just this month, Literacy KC proudly celebrated the graduation of 74 adults who earned their high school diplomas. These individuals overcame major obstacles — homelessness, addiction, poverty — to change their futures. Their achievements are more than symbolic. They are economic. Based on national data, each high school graduate can contribute approximately $16,000 more annually to the economy. That means those 74 graduates could generate nearly $1.2 million in economic impact for Kansas City in just one year.
Imagine the national impact if programs such as Literacy KC had the funding to reach thousands more. Instead, $715 million is being withheld — money that could provide diplomas, job skills and self-sufficiency to hundreds of thousands of Americans.
This cut isn’t just a blow to education. It’s a blow to working families, to local businesses and to the economy at large. We must fight to restore funding. Adult education changes lives — and our nation cannot afford to turn its back on those seeking a second chance.
- Netty Doyle, Kansas City
Royals’ win
As a 13-year-old lifelong Royals fan and a proud Kansas Citian, I’m writing to express my strong support for building a baseball stadium in North Kansas City.
This move represents a once-in-a-generation opportunity to breathe new life into our city, create economic momentum and position the Royals for long-term success. North Kansas City offers the space, accessibility and modern infrastructure needed for a state-of-the-art ballpark and surrounding entertainment district — something the current location simply can’t provide.
Imagine a stadium that’s more than just a place to watch a game: restaurants, retail shops, walkable streets, concerts, community events and year-round activity. This isn’t about leaving Kansas City behind — it’s about expanding it. North Kansas City is still part of the metropolitan area, still proudly rooted in our shared identity and well-positioned to welcome fans from across the region.
Additionally, this move would support job creation, boost tourism and open the door for meaningful development without displacing residents or disrupting historic neighborhoods. Let’s be bold enough to see the future, not cling to the past.
Moving the Royals to North Kansas City is not a loss for Kansas City — it’s a win for the entire region.
- Alyson Cline-Brooks, Kansas City