KC vote: Who has to pay earnings tax, and could politicians add more taxes? | Opinion
They pay
I received a flyer about the upcoming vote on renewing Kansas City’s earnings tax. It has a misleading “Fast Facts” section, which states that retirees don’t pay the earnings tax. They don’t pay tax on passive income such as Social Security, pensions, rental income and so on, but they do pay earnings tax on jobs they have outside their retirement incomes.
- John Sherbo, Kansas City
No trust
I am 100% in favor of eliminating Missouri’s income tax. However, I fear that if we amend the state constitution to allow additional sales taxes, we will end up with both an income tax and additional sales tax.
We can’t trust Jefferson City politicians. Legislators are addicted to the public’s money.
- Edward D. McLiney, Kansas City
Bans’ result
I appreciate Carew Papritz’s tongue-in-cheek conclusion to his recent commentary on the literacy crisis: “We know what works. Let the banning begin.” (March 17, 7A, “Twain was right. Want to sell a book? Ban it”)
Unfortunately, successful or not, efforts to ban books do little to inspire strategies of critical reading of the books that remain.
- James Heiman, Blue Springs
Classic greats
The fans are the biggest winners of the World Baseball Classic. I don’t remember this level of interest three years ago. Kudos to Major League Baseball and the teams for promoting it. The games were close, and it was fun to watch.
A second winner is the Kansas City Royals. Baseball fans were well aware of the leadership of catcher Salvador Perez (a double captain, as was the Yankees’ Aaron Judge). But first baseman and Team Italy captain Vinnie Pasquantino served as an impressive leader on the field and in interviews — not to mention his three-home-run game. (The Hall of Fame asked for his bat.) Infielder Maikel Garcia made highlights on offense and defense.
Venezuela faced Bobby Witt Jr. in the final. Again, I knew the perennial American League MVP short-lister was good, but I forgot how good and how fast.
The Royals weren’t alone in heroics during this tournament. That being said, I was happy to open a box of collectible baseball cards the other day and find Vinnie and Bobby in there. I’m sure others will reward your club in jersey sales and more eyeballs in the 2026 regular season.
- Adam Silbert, New York City
Double shot
The Royals should take a lesson from Team Italy’s innovative approach during the World Baseball Classic games by installing an espresso machine in the Kansas City dugout. It could elevate the sprits and performances of our players while also recognizing Vinnie Pasquantino, Jac Caglianone and former Royal Michael Lorenzen for their outstanding performances in those games.
And, what the heck? It couldn’t hurt.
- Larry Hamman, Lee’s Summit
Priorities?
So, thousands have lost their health care, children are going hungry, billions are being spent on a war no one except Donald Trump and Pete Hegseth wanted, votes are being suppressed because the Republicans fear losing the House and Senate. With this unending corruption and graft, is this the end of our democracy as we know it?
Oh, yes, I forgot: now some onyx for Trump’s hideous White House ballroom!
- Pamela Saltzman, Lenexa
Poor planning
The recent guest commentary by Chris Carmichael speaks very well to the lack of planning and the impulsiveness of the occupant of the Oval Office. (March 20 8A, “What’s the plan in Iran, asks retired Kansas colonel running for Congress”) It is apparent that the president either didn’t listen to his advisers or they gave him very poor advice before the attack on Iran. Either way, the ramifications of the war and an effective exit strategy were poorly understood.
In addition to not following known plans of Central Command for an Iranian war, the president did not heed the advice attributed to the sage philosopher Yogi Berra: “If you don’t know where you are going, you might wind up someplace else.”
- Douglas B. Bogart, Jacksonville, Florida
Your money
I must be missing something. The Star published two-half page articles March 11 about “How to use an Income Tax Refund” (13A, “Tax refunds are larger this year. Make yours a stepping stone for your future,” 14A, “For most Americans, tax refunds offer a financial lifeline this year”)
Why would you want to get one? That means you over-withheld and lent the government some of your money for part of the year. Why wouldn’t you under-withhold and invest that money until you have to pay up in April?
- Graham Marcott, Fairway