Jackson County Exec Irrelevant After Stadium Tax Showdown FAIL?!?

Many of his longtime political opponents hope that Jackson County Executive Frank White has boxed himself into a corner after his veto FAILED and suffered a super majority override this week. 

However . . .

Here at TKC, the answer to questions about the Exec's irrelevance is a resounding . . . 

NO, Exec Frank White will continue to have a great deal of leverage on stadium tax extension talks going forward despite his very public defeat in the dead of Winter.

In a press conference after the vote it was interesting and even a bit encouraging to see the Exec & Vice Chair of the Legislature talk about the specifics of the stadium tax extension.

Still . . .

Every vote has consequences and right now we want to take a moment to consider political reality following what could be an important power shift.

Now, whilst we admit that the Executive has some leverage, there's no denying the results of voting this week. 

Insiders remind us . . . 

EXEC WHITE LOST TWO VOTES & COULDN'T HOLD HIS COALITION TOGETHER FOR ONE WEEK!!!

It gets worse . . .

The Exec's showdown offers a great bit of insight about his colleagues . . .

Again, Legislative Vice Chair Megan Marshall stuck with the Executive until the bitter end and seemingly shows a great deal of loyalty. 

The only problem is that she's now out in no man's land, at odds with most of her former pals in Freedom Inc. and hardliners amongst Jackson County County Democrats who will NOT forgive her for voting for a Republican Chair during election year 2024.

Meanwhile . . . 

Our pal Pete Mundo aptly notes that Legislator Jalen Anderson looks like he's reading a hostage note in his remarks about the stadium tax extension.

In the end, labor might've been the key factor in peeling off his vote.

Also . . .

Plebs might not think it's a big deal,but, as we noted previously . . . 

When the coalition lead by the Greater KC Chamber and The Civic Council endorsed this deal . . . Any realistic opposition by elected officials who need funding to run reelection campaigns became impossible . . .

And this brings us to Legislator & Congressional Candidate Sean Smith . . .

Of all the supporters of Exec Frank White's failed veto . . .

Legislator Sean Smith played this game of brinkmanship PERFECTLY.

He almost had us convinced he was serious about his objections and then, cunningly, jumped aboard the last train away from Team Frank when the "Letter of Intent" magically eased his conscience at the zero hour.

Again, here at www.TonysKansasCity.com we don't tell people how to vote but only serve to provide context, sh*ts & giggles for those of us at the low-end watching from the cheap seats.

We have no doubt there will be more excitement as voters wait on Royals stadium plans and other deets that may or may not convince the small swath of voters who typically cast their ballot for low-turnout April elections. 

Developing . . .