Political Fracas: KC's deceitful sales tax ad
Yael T. AbouhalkahThe campaign to pass a new $34 million increase in Kansas City’s sales tax sent out a flier last week.
I say it’s deceitful. See if you agree - or don’t.
The ad sent to frequent voters in the mail:
Doesn’t mention that the sales tax is new and it’s an INCREASE in total taxes on Kansas Citians.
Doesn’t say how much money the INCREASE will raise.
Tries to fool people into thinking taxes will only be eliminated.
I’m disappointed that Mayor Sly James attached his name to this advertisement, and will ask him about it Tuesday at our scheduled interview.
Yes, I know fliers often try to mislead voters. But when James and others are trying to build up trust in city government, having this kind of flier go out - with the mayor’s name on it, to boot - does exactly the opposite when people learn the full truth.
In fact, the ad - paid for by the Progress KC Committee - says three times that Question 1 would “eliminate taxes.”
That’s true, up to this point: It would eliminate the collections of the boulevard, parkways and trafficways maintenance property taxes. That deletes about $10.5 million a year from the city budget.
After eliminating those taxes, the flier says, Question 1 would be “replacing that revenue with a single sales tax…”
That’s factually misleading and ultimately factually wrong.
Yes, the tax would “replace” the $10.5 million - and then it would add $23.5 million more in taxes because the sales tax would create $34 million a year.
The flier could have been upfront about that.
After all, how’s the city going to pay for all the good things - such as better parks and roads - promised in the flier unless City Hall gets more money?
But the Progress KC Committee tried the deceitful approach, implying that this was just an even trade of tax revenues.
It’s not.
Bruce Bedier
10 months agoSaw this expensive 4 page glossy brochure at a friends house. Both of us were incensed by the lack of info and considered it geared to the intellect of a 4th grader. (Maybe they know what they’re doing.) Based upon the misleading brochure, she will definitely vote “no”’
Kathy Frazier
10 months agoIt is no more deceitful than cutting the benefits retirees worked 25 or 30 years for as you so heartily advocate for in your various and lame ranting and ravings.