The legacy of MLK is about mutual respect, social justice, Christian values helping to uplift people beyond petty bigotry or demographic discrimination . . . But it's also about money.
Because everything is about money.
To wit . . .
THE KANSAS CITY ONE EIGHTH CENT SALES TAX INITIATIVE INSPIRES HOPE BUT FAILS TO OFFER MANY DETAILS ABOUT HOW THIS CASH WILL HELP TO CREATE JOBS AND SPARK THE ECONOMIC GROWTH PROMISED BY PROMOTERS!!!
Once again it's another blank check . . . This time by the clergy and activists instead of politicos and lawyers.
Take a look at a recent flier circulating and their FB page deets that seem appropriate to share on MLK day given the urban core focus of this taxing effort . . .
The deets are scarce for potential voters . . . Here's the text of the ballot initiative . . .
Our Mission: To create a funding source for community and economic development east of Troost Avenue
Question: How does this tax differ from any other tax proposed for the City?
Answer: All taxes have a particular focus as found with some of the examples as the Zoo Tax, COMBAT Drug Tax, Public Safety Tax and Sports Complex. The focus of this tax is to continue the redevelopment of the urban core East of Troost Avenue and similar to what has taken place Downtown, Crossroads and other areas.
Question: How does this tax benefit me?
Answer: This tax benefits the entire City by stabilizing neighborhoods and communities through major redevelopment. On an individual basis, Kansas City can become a more vibrant, productive and safer area on the eastside of the city. What happens in one part of the City effects the entire City from the perspective of feeling safe, shopping and deciding to move to the area.
Question: Who is supporting the tax already?
Answer: Groups already supporting this initiative include Urban Summit, Southern Christian Leadership Conference of Greater KC (SCLC-GKC), National Black United Front (NBUF), Baptist Ministers Union, Neighborhood Groups within the Corridor
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Respectfully . . .
THE 'WHAT' AND 'WHY' ARE THERE BUT NOT MUCH ELSE . . . THE REAL QUESTION HERE IS WHO IS GOING TO BE IN CHARGE OF THIS CASH AND HOW WILL IT BE SPENT TO SPARK ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT?!?!
As usual, the devil is in the deets and the plan is pretty much secret.
Don't get it twisted . . . Helping a beleaguered part of of Kansas City is a great idea but a collection of Revs and activists don't have any experience or track record when it comes to job creation — The cornerstone of a real, meaningful economic development effort.
Voters of every ethnic, racial and religious persuasion should realize that without more specifics and a real plan . . . This is just another KCMO slush fund of cash that will go down the drain and have little benefit for the constituents it seeks to help.
The ask is understandable . . . Kansas City is currently burning money in the P&L District and on luxury living space Downtown so civic leaders have no real moral clarity to deny this kind of effort.
Still, at the end of the day taxpayers of all every economic, social and racial persuasion would do well to oppose even higher taxes whether those funds support corporate welfare OR a small clique of politically connected activists. It may not be inspiring or uplifting but EVERYBODY HATES TAXES and that's as good of a place as any to find some common ground.
You decide . . .
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