Mayor Funky set to bring economic development in KC to a standstill

Actually, I don't believe that headline one bit but that's how the guy's enemies (and he has created quite a few) will portray this move . . . I can't argue with a more sensible TIF policy but the spin is already out of Mayor Funky and has cast himself as "The Anti-Development Mayor" and this perception is going to be pretty hard to battle . . . Also, I wonder if the Council will side for him on this vote considering it may harm their economic interests (and those of their backers) in places like the 4th, the 2nd and 1st Districts but everyone else isn't really seeing enough big TIF backed development in their areas to make a difference. Undoubtedly, it will be interesting and it's telling to note that the Funky Administration still has some strings to pull at The Star seeing as how their coverage of this issue this week earned them a personal thanks from the Mayor as his committee is set to go public . . . Coincidence?

Monday, Funkhouser also thanked the Kansas City Star newspaper for the two-part series it did outlining problems with TIFs in recent years. He said that kind of scrutiny is important and admitted that as aggressive as he was while working as city auditor, maybe he should have been even more aggressive in looking at TIFs.

Yeah, I hope he does well with this issue considering that it's the only promise he hasn't completely blundered so far in his short tenure . . . And I guess seeing him constantly campaign for the next 4 years is just a reflection of the political era that we live in . . . For the moment, it's clear he still has the support of most of the people at the Star.

All your news is propaganda. Clipping coupons is the only benefit you'll get from KC's paper of record . . . Who incidentally loved big time TIF until earlier this week.