The newspaper mostly loves new taxes and this election is no different.
Accordingly, a group of upstart residents have pushed a ballot effort to cap incentives.
However, as usual, the newspaper is taking the side of developers and the biz community over low tax advocates.
What is Question 1???
A yes vote hopes to limit the use of property tax incentives such as abatements and redirections to 50% of the increased revenue from a project, down from the existing cap of 75%.
The newspaper's stance:
The Star recommends a no vote Tuesday on Question 1 incentive reform plan
Money line beyond all of the equivocating and posturing:
"If Question 1 passes, public momentum for additional improvements to incentive guidelines will stall. Kansas City would be left with an inflexible policy that could actually hurt poor communities, the very neighborhoods incentives are supposed to benefit."
It's typical corporate circular logic that attempts to confuse activists, delay any real change and punt the issue to the new mayor & council -- Essentially a no vote gives the status quo a monumental endorsement.
Even better . . .
THE TKC PUNCHLINE: LIKE MOST LAWS, THIS LEGISLATION ISN'T WORTH THE TOILET PAPER IT'S WRITTEN UPON!!!
Here's a fact of life that makes most American uncomfortable because it challenges their naive conceptions of fairness . . .
The super wealthy don't have to obey laws or elections and there are dozens of loopholes and exceptions available to bypass the will of voters.
And so this futile exercise in Democracy is mostly a bad joke like most of what's on the ballot.
You decide . . .
BY THE KANSAS CITY STAR EDITORIAL BOARD
ReplyDeleteLOL
The failed Star writes "Kansas City would be left with an inflexible policy that could actually hurt poor communities, the very neighborhoods incentives are supposed to benefit."
ReplyDeleteSadly very, very few of the current or past incentives have helped the poor communities. The east side tax which was implemented over a year ago and was supposed to jump start development along Prospect has miserably failed. Money has probably been funneled to Slie's or JoLie's favorite developers.
"If Question 1 passes, public momentum for additional improvements to incentive guidelines will stall."
ReplyDeleteBEST ARGUMENT FOR PASSAGE YET!
The Falling Star uses the word "momentum" like t's a good thing!
Uhhhh -Star Writers, "Momentum" does not mean giving away infrastructure Tax dollars to Out-Of-State Developers!
We would have "momentum" if the streets and sewers were getting fixed.
"I gots to tell you this?"
Alexei, the reference makes more sense when you understand that chief among the "poor communities" the Star is referring to is the Star.
ReplyDelete
ReplyDeleteIf the Red Star votes no then everyone should know to vote yes on question 1.
I know of no one that has read an opinion in The Star and said, “Oh, I will vote that way because it’s in the paper.”
ReplyDeleteNo one.
How egotistical they have opinion-makers that divide readers and think they influence.
Sheer folly.
Think I'll vote no. I want the poor communities to be fucked over
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