Midwest Voices

Yael T. Abouhalkah

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In a graceless concession speech, the leader of the earnings tax opponents on Tuesday essentially criticized KC voters and threatened them as well. This was all after voters overwhelmingly decided to keep the tax at least another five years.

It’s almost embarrassing to read the bellicose words of Woody Cozad, who is normally more thoughtful than this as my colleague on the “Ruckus” civic affairs show on KCPT-TV.

Here’s his full statement, with my comments below:

“Tonight, a small minority of Kansas Citians choose to continue with an earnings tax that is driving small businesses out and pushing homeowners away. For the first time in 40 years Kansas Citians had a discussion about whether or not the earnings tax makes sense. Thousands of Kansas Citians have decided it does not.

“No one disputes that our city would be more attractive to small businesses without an earnings tax and no one wants to cut police or firefighters. The dispute is about whether or not we can find a better way to fund our city. 125 of the largest cities have done it and Kansas City should too.

“Now that the campaign is over, our leaders have an opportunity to take an honest look at the problem without the hyperbole. The time has come for those paying in to get the same level of services that are being spent out, on both sides of the river. Tonight we extend an olive branch to our leaders. Commit to finding a better way forward and we will work with you. However if they choose to continue this regressive tax then this is not the end of this campaign; it’s just the intermission.”

My comments:

The “small minority” of voters represented 80 percent of the people who turned out Tuesday. Cozad and his ilk wanted to “Let Voters Decide.” Remember that from the Prop A days of last November.

Well, the voters showed up when billionaire Rex Sinquefield wanted them to - at a special general election in April. And those voters rejected the snake oil that Sinquefield and Cozad were selling.

Second, the notion that Cozad or anyone in the opponents’ camp can “extend an olive branch” is rather laughable. They just got their butts kicked big-time in an election.

Finally, the statement that “if they choose to continue this regressive tax” is a direct insult to Kansas Citians.

Hey, we just decided to continue the tax through something called a democratic vote of the people.

Cozad and his small band of followers had months and $500,000 to spend on their slick campaign to get people to kill the earnings tax.

And voters said no way.

Instead of taking this verdict like a mature person, Cozad lashed out at the voters and insulted them Tuesday. Bad call, Woody.

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