Kansas City Police Funding Wins In Missouri, FAILS Locally: Will Mayor Q Sue?!?

The Mayor promised to take this to court.

We think (given the current circumstances of local governance) his case is weak. 

Every year KCMO sends lobbyists to Jeff City to ask for cash . . . Missouri taxpayers do, in fact, contribute to KCMO and so might deserve a say on how our police are funded . . .

The only real solution is a vote for so-called "local control" that might, in fact, win . .  . And thereby turn this town into a(n even worse) high-crime free-for-all just like our STL friends.

Nevertheless, here's quick round-up . . .

Kansas City is the only city in Missouri — and one of the largest cities in the U.S. —- that does not have local control of its police department. Instead, a state board oversees the department’s operations, including its budget.

State lawmakers passed a law this year to require the budget increase but feared it would violate the constitution’s unfunded mandate provision. The proposed amendment is meant to resolve any potential conflict.

The amendment was in response to an unsuccessful attempt in 2021 by Kansas City Mayor Quinton Lucas and other city leaders to divert a portion of the police department’s budget to social service and crime prevention programs.

Read more via www.TonysKansasCity.com link . . .

Missouri voters force Kansas City to raise police spending

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) - Missouri voters have passed a constitutional amendment that will require Kansas City to spend a larger percentage of its general revenue on the police department. The amendment requires the city to spend 25% of general revenue on police, up from the current 20% requirement.

Missouri voters approve Amendment 4 to increase Kansas City Police funding

The constitutional amendment requires Kansas City to spend at least 25% of its budget on the police department, up from its current 20%. The KCPD is governed by the state of Missouri through a Board of Police Commissioners, unlike any other major U.S. city or police department in Missouri.

Amendment 4: Missouri votes to increase Kansas City police funding

KANSAS CITY, Mo. - Kansas City will be required to increase its minimum police funding after voters statewide approved Amendment 4 on Tuesday. The Associated Press called the race just before 11 p.m. with the constitutional amendment showing 62% of the vote at the time.

Missouri voters force Kansas City to raise police spending

Missouri voters have passed a constitutional amendment that will require Kansas City to spend a larger percentage of its general revenue on the police department.The amendment requires the city to spend 25% of general revenue on police, up from the current 20% requirement.

Developing . . .