KC soars while Johnson County falls
Yael T. AbouhalkahKansas Citians and their indefatigable mayor Sly James are the big winners in the aftermath of Tuesday’s elections.
And Johnson Countians are the big, big losers.
Kansas City voters showed they are willing to use more public funds to provide better basic services, especially for parks, roads and sewers.
Johnson Countians showed they are prepared to cut, cut and cut some more when it comes to government spending.
If you’re looking for a leader in providing a superior quality of life for this region, Kansas City has just put in a huge stake to that claim.
Meanwhile, Johnson Countians look like they are ready to retrench after years of being the area’s movers and shakers.
Think this goes too far?
Then check this out.
Kansas Citians who live in Republican-dominated Platte County voted 55-45 percent on Tuesday in favor of a new half-cent sales tax to bolster spending on city parks and roads. So much for all the hoopla about how GOP voters hate extra taxes, especially in this tough economy. The increase also was approved by city voters living in Jackson and Clay counties.
My takeaway: With the highly popular James leading the charge, the city provided a credible, nonpartisan plan to improving the community’s assets. Voters decided to embrace it.
They wanted to restore some employees and programs to the Parks and Recreation Department. Kansas Citians showed they won’t mind spending more public revenue — $3 million a year — to bolster an agency that’s been recognized as one of the nation’s best for years but has fallen on hard times lately. Residents told City Hall they are willing to pay for cleaner parks, community centers with longer hours and other enhanced parks programs.
As for roads, Kansas Citians finally said enough is enough, and gave permission to spend at least an extra $15 million a year on smoother streets.
Voters also backed the use of $500 million in revenue bonds to upgrade sewers, paid for with higher sewer rates.
Meanwhile, the view is much grimmer over in Johnson County.
On Tuesday voters gave resounding primary victories to ultra-conservative Republican state Senate candidates in four of the five most hotly contested races in the county. The candidates supported by Gov. Sam Brownback appear ready to take control of the entire Legislature unless Democrats somehow rally in November.
The victories by the ultra-conservatives endanger state funds for keeping Johnson County schools well-financed. Plus, the potential is much higher that public money for services to seniors and low-income residents — both fast-growing parts of Johnson County’s population — will be slashed in Topeka.
But there’s more bad news for Johnson County’s future.
All the candidates for an open County Commission seat ran on slogans that they are against higher taxes.
What’s wrong with this picture?
Well, the county has been cutting its library hours and personnel in recent months. The county also has had to trim future spending goals for its other public amenities, especially its renowned parks system.
Where are the people speaking up for using a little bit more tax money to keep Johnson County as the premier place to live in the region?
They have been cowed — outspent and outvoted by ultra-conservative forces and residents who seem bent on creating a grimmer future for the county when it comes to superb public services.
Add in several more facts.
Kansas City and Kansas City, Kan., will get Google fiber first, making dozens of neighborhoods in those cities more attractive to current and future residents when it comes to high-speed Internet connections.
Downtown voters just endorsed creation of a streetcar taxing district, with a vote on funding the two-mile system to come this fall.
The Kansas City Zoo is on its way to being one of the country’s best, again thanks to a positive vote on a sales tax by local voters in 2011.
Finally, Kansas City just stole the headquarters of a 1,000-employee firm from Lenexa. Freightquote will get tens of millions of dollars in local and state subsidies to build its headquarters in south Kansas City.
Wait. That’s just another inane use of corporate welfare. You can’t win them all.
For now, Johnson Countians have taken a step backward when it comes to being leaders for this area.
And Kansas Citians have taken a bold stride toward upgrading crucial basic services, intent on building a better future for this region.
To reach Yael T. Abouhalkah, call 816-234-4887 or email abouhalkah@kcstar.com. He blogs at voices.kansascity.com and appears on “Ruckus” at 7 tonight on KCPT. Twitter @YaelTAbouhalkah.
Jon Stephens
10 months, 2 weeks agoVery solid analysis. The one remaining thing holding back KCMO is the KCMSD. Until the charters get larger and stronger, they break up the District, or somehow they experience a real revival (not holding my breath) most families with school age children will continue to flee to the suburbs. A very sad reality.
Ray Parker
Overland Park
10 months, 2 weeks agoSo-called moderate Kansas Republicans, the Kansas Traditional Republican Majority, sent out a letter signed by Ryan Wright in 2008 falsely claiming that conservative Republicans were racists with ties to the KKK, and making other wild baseless claims. Conservative Kansas voters have not forgotten. That letter was the end of any concept of “big tent” for the Kansas Republican Party. We saw the continuing consequences on primary election day, August 7, 2012, folks.
Kevin Carlyle
10 months, 2 weeks agoThe biggest problem is not liberal vs conservative but expensive sprawl vs less expensive density for a city.
Sure, it costs money to put in a streetcar, but don’t forget that it costs even more to add a new development with roads, power lines, water pipes, natural gas lines, street lights, new schools, new fire stations, new police stations, new parks, new sewer lines, wider regional roads, wider highways, etc.
If the options are the reuse of existing infrastructure to increase the tax base or needing to build new to increase the tax base one’s the obvious winner in the big picture.
KC finally slowed down on the sprawl. Sure, it’s there but it’s not booming sprawl like JoCo.
Jay Ricker
10 months, 2 weeks agoYael, we get it Higher taxes = good…..lower tax or holding steady = bad.
You’re a one trick pony, but we get it.
Deborah Phillips
10 months, 2 weeks agoYael - You blasted this KCMO sales tax before the election and discouraged its passage, and now you are praising the electorate for voting it in.
Jack Gates
10 months, 2 weeks agoYou go Yael! KCMO is sure a winner! That’s why everyone wants to live there. Right?
Typical joke of a column from the Red Star. “Ultra conservatives”? What a joke. Tabloid journalism at best.
I’ll just have to suffer being the “loser” in yesterday’s elections. LOL
George Hunsucker
Northland
10 months, 2 weeks agoAnother great parody YT….
YEP, high crime, crappy schools, bloated staff, obscene benefits all good.
Low crime, declining staff, highly rated schools all bad.
Your comedy routines are super YT!!