SHOW-ME KANSAS CITY POLICE FUNDING BILL MOVING AHEAD!!!

A few days ago (and throughout this year) our blog community has warned that KCMO was confronting an EPIC GOP crackdown on police funding. 

And now that humble prediction is news fact. 

This move is exceptionally saucy and we're anxious to see the progressive push back & response from the Mayor's office given that today Prez Biden is asking for more police funding at a roundtable with Mayor Q in attendance. 

To wit . . . 

THE MISSOURI GOP SUPER MAJORITY PREPS TO MANDATE MILLIONS MORE IN FUNDING FOR POLICE AS A SMACKDOWN AGAINST MAYOR & COUNCIL'S UNSUCCESSFUL PO-PO DEFUNDING FIGHT!!!

Here's a more supportive summary . . .

"The bill, sponsored by Tony Luetkemeyer, R- Parkville, raises the portion of Kansas City’s budget that must be devoted to the police department from 20% to 25% – a $65.2 million increase. 

"It passed out of the House Friday by a vote of 102 to 38 — just hours before the legislative session ends.

"Under current law, the Missouri legislature cannot require a city to increase an activity or service beyond that mandated by existing law, unless a state appropriation is made to pay the city for any increased costs.

"The House also approved a proposed constitutional amendment that, if approved by the voters in November, would provide an exception for the Kansas City Police. That bill also passed Friday by a vote of 103 to 44.

"Both pieces of legislation were inspired by a move from local elected officials last year that generated outrage among Republicans."

Ahem . . .

Local control??? Riiiiiiight. 

Pretty sure they mean DEFUNDING THE POLICE and the budget slap fight that Mayor Q lost in court.

What's more important is that Republicans have the votes, insiders have told us that they could easily pass this in a statewide election AND so far 12th & Oak has been unsuccessful in court battles over police funding.   

From our vantage as a blogger who doesn't really believe in anything but the magic and wonders of online journalism (lulz)  . . .

What's disappointing about this debate is that partisan politicos seem more interested in scrounging after money & power rather than addressing the historic pace of deadly violence currently underway on local streets. 

Read more via www.TonysKansasCity.com links . . .

Bill forcing Kansas City to put more money toward police heads to governor's desk * Missouri Independent

The amount of funding Kansas City would be required to put towards its police department would increase under legislation headed to Gov. Mike Parson's desk. The , sponsored by Tony Luetkemeyer, R- Parkville, raises the portion of Kansas City's budget that must be devoted to the police department from 20% to 25% - a $65.2 million increase.

Kansas City, Missouri, Mayor Lucas speaks on crime, funding from White House

KANSAS CITY, Mo. - Kansas City, Missouri, Mayor Quinton Lucas spoke from the White House Friday about how his city has used federal funding to help cover law enforcement costs. "In Kansas City, if not for the American Rescue Plan, officers would have lost their jobs, salaries would have been frozen and our city would have become more dangerous," Lucas said.

Missouri legislature passes bill requiring Kansas City to give more money to the KCPD

Current state law requires Kansas City to allocate 20% of its general fund to the KCPD every year. A bill pushed through the legislature by Missouri Republicans increases that threshold to 25%, but it's unclear if the move is constitutional.

Missouri lawmakers pass bill requiring Kansas City to increase police funding

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. - In the final hours of the Missouri Legislature's session, lawmakers passed a bill that would require Kansas City to increase the minimum budget for the police department. Under current state law Kansas City is required to spend 20% of its general revenue on the police department.

You decide . . .