Meet Jackson County Bloc Chasing Away Kansas City Chiefs & Royals

Right now, here's where we stand on a Jackson County Stadium Sales Tax deal that would keep the Kansas City Royals & Chiefs in town for at least another 20 years. 

The Legislature initially passed the deal 8-1.

But then a few politicos flipped their votes after Jackson County Executive Frank White sent down his veto against the measure.

TKC has a sneaking suspicion that a great deal of this drama might be savvy politicos and consultants playing up the Exec's disengagement with reality County biz in order to create more drama and the illusion of Democracy and choice. 

However . . . 

If we take everybody at their word . . . And, again, there are TWO BILLION REASONS NOT TO TRUST ANYBODY during this debate . . . Ahead of an impending showdown, here's a quick summary of how this negotiation breaks down from our vantage . . .

Let's start with Jackson County Executive Frank White who is the prime mover against any deal with the Chiefs & the Royals.

We've notice sports newsies and amateur pundits attempting to ascribe hard nosed bargaining tactics to this politico amid behind the scenes negotiations. Nothing could be further from fact. 

The Exec isn't really talking to the teams and throughout this process the Executive's office hasn't provided any viable suggestions, terms or participation. As far as anyone can tell, the Jackson County Executive has no practical interest in keeping the teams. 

We can never be certain if his opposition is a vendetta from his baseball days and bad vibes left over from DECADES ago. What we do know is that the Executive has shut down talks and/or refused to participate at every turn. 

But here's where things get more interesting . . . 

3rd District At-Large Legislator Megan Marshall was formerly an enthusiastic member of "The Freedom 5" who support the stadium deal until the courthouse proved to small for so many big egos. 

In fact . . . Once her colleagues started calling her "Captain Marvel" behind her back . . . She seemingly lost her enthusiasm for collaborative politics with urban colleagues.

6th District Legislator Sean Smith is running for Congress and sent an interesting message our way regarding his stance on people pleasing. 

Currently, he claims he will affirm the Executive's veto. When we noted the very real consequences of this action he replied this way:

First of all, we appreciate that he doesn't deny that we're correct about the implications of his vote just that he isn't willing to accept our analysis in the perfect world he imagines. 

However . . . A dismissive attitude regarding the prospects of his political future doesn't bode very well for potential donors to his Congressional campaign and hopes of defeating Congressman Cleaver. 

1st District At-Large Legislator Jalen Anderson also ranks as a member of "Team Frank" on this issue and we begrudgingly feel a bit sympathetic to his plight if only because he has suffered recent health issues and he seems rudderless without former Jackson County Legislator Crystal Williams telling him what to do.

We're not here to bully Jalen . . . Just to note that his record is all over the place and his enthusiasm to serve the public has quickly turned to confusion and emotional outbursts under intense pressure.

5th District Legislator Jeanie Lauer is the current chairperson of the Legislature and has been described as a "MAGA Republican" but seems strangely quiet on this stadium deal outside of her signing on Team Frank's coalition to veto. 

Whilst her co-chair Legislator Megan Marshall is front and center in this battle, Laeur seems to be biding her time and remaining EXCEPTIONALLY low key regarding her objections. 

If all of these elected officials continue to support the Executive veto, there won't be an override and the deal falls apart. 

Now . . . 

It's important to remember that the Greater Kansas City Chamber Of Commerce & Civic Council are leading a coalition in support of an April 2nd ballot issue which would require an override. 

And then . . .

Last night Lee's Summit signed on to support the ballot issue.

And then . . .

The Chiefs & Royals will be running commercials in support of the ballot issue during today's game. 

Again, from our vantage . . .

IF THIS DEAL FALLS THROUGH, ALL BETS ARE OFF AND KANSAS CITY CHIEFS & ROYALS LOSE INCENTIVE TO SUBMIT TO VINDICTIVE COURTHOUSE LEADERSHIP AND THE WHIMS OF TWITTER TROLLS!!!

Is this a bad deal for Jackson County . . . 

Maybe, probably, but VOTERS WOULD BE ABLE TO MAKE THAT CASE FOR THEMSELVES IN AN EVEN STRONGER FASHION if the ballot issue is voted down by the electorate and not kept of the ballot indefinitely. 

Blocking a public vote on the topic prolongs the agonizing backroom deals and imagines more public disclosure and assurances when, in fact, none are forthcoming. 

Again, the mistake here is that online pundits are taking themselves too seriously and don't realize that better deals await the teams in Kansas and across the nation. 

Locking in the teams without a sales tax increase is a very low bar but good enough for most voters. Meanwhile, it's far more dangerous to allow politicos & opportunists to attempt political extortion against this valuable local resource during an election year.

Again, we welcome disagreement but only if it acknowledges that the threat of losing the teams is not just real but likely. 

Allow www.TonysKansasCity.com an aside . . . Millions of people died in WWI, this town has a giant monument to the horrific disaster that happened for reasons so insignificant that nobody really remembers why . . . 

And so, it's not hyperbole to consider that pro-sports teams would pack up in the dark of night from KC Proper amid rampant political dysfunction. 

Even worse, our metro suburban neighbors would cheer our misfortune for their own gain.

And so . . .

Tomorrow, as another round of ice and chilly temperatures threaten Kansas City . . . The winter of our discontent during an election year might get even worse. 

Developing . . .