In less than 24 hours we've witnessed opponents of the proposed Kansas City Downtown Stadium quickly galvanizing and starting to organize their resistance.
To wit . . .
MORE THAN ANYTHING, MAYOR Q'S NO VOTE PLAN IRKS OPPONENTS & HAS SPARKED THE GREATEST CRITICISM!!!
In reality . . .
For months veteran Kansas City newsman Dave Helling has been telling anyone who would listen that there's really no such thing as a "no vote" option given KC's robust petition process.
In fact . . .
If opponents were REALLY peeved about this deal they could collect petitions and force a vote. Thanks to KCMO's consistently low turnout, early reporting notes that only about 2,000 signatures are required to force a vote.
Then again . . .
For all the online chatter . . . Remember that this is the same town that renewed the earnings tax again by an EPIC margin . . . So, it's important to distinguish real world frustration from online chatter.
Again . . .
Less than a day in we notice a cacophony of voices speaking up against the plan and we wanted to share links and resources in order to gauge the feelings of our snarky readers . . .
Check-it:
The Missouri Workers Center along with Stand Up KC allies have expressed their opposition.
Here's their money line . . .
"Now, against the backdrop of working people struggling to cover the skyrocketing cost of gas, groceries, and other basic needs, and staring down the threat of corporate-backed politicians eliminating the state income tax and raising sales taxes on the vast majority of goods and services on which Missourians rely, Mayor Quinton Lucas, Mayor Pro Tem Ryana Parks-Shaw, Councilman Wes Rogers, Councilman Crispin Rea, and six members of City Council want to pass Ordinance 260339."
On the other side of the partisan divide . . .
Conservative talker Pete Mundo says the whole thing is a grift . . .
Kansas City just suckered you into another 5 years of paying a 1% earnings tax, claiming you’ll lose your police, fire and basic services without it, but then found $600 million for a new stadium. “No new taxes!”
A familiar voice . . .
Former Council lady Becky Nace & the Save The K Crew are obviously up in arms.
Part of a recent statement . . .
"Who will be on the hook and what budget items get shifted? That’s the big question they must answer. It has to come from somewhere. This isn’t new money or taxes. KC is getting taxes from Kauffman Stadium now. Difference is they get to keep them now and they won’t downtown because that’s what’s paying for the construction. What gets cut? Disposable income doesn’t increase because you build something new. You make choices."
From an even more controversial source . . .
Anti-Israel activist & congressional candidate Hartzell Gray shares his opposition.
Recently posted to his FB . . .
“The City is doing the Royals' bidding in a way explicitly designed to ram through their proposal with no transparency for the public and no vote of the people — & using our taxpayer dollars to make it happen. It reeks of corruption.”
Finally, we think the words of an elected offical are exceptionally important . . .
Here's what he said in the aftermath . . .
“I refuse to be left in the dark here,” Abarca said. “And so I think it's very important that, if taxpayers from Jackson County are going to be expected to fund any part of it, that we should be at least aware of what's happening prior to hitting the news.”
Nevertheless . . . The mainstream narrative is mostly upbeat . . . Check-it:
Read more via www.TonysKansasCity.com links . . .
Crossroads District businesses react to Royals stadium proposal near their neighborhood
Local business owners in the Crossroads District reacted to the city's new Royals stadium proposal two years after voters denied a sales tax extension for a downtown baseball stadium.
EXCLUSIVE: KMBC 9 News sits down with Kansas City Mayor Quinton Lucas to talk downtown baseball
In an interview with KMBC's Kris Ketz, Lucas says the proposal sets up what he describes as a different approach from the countywide sales tax plan voters rejected in April 2024.
'It's a win for everybody': Johnson County neighbors weigh in on Royals potential move to downtown KCMO
Kansas City, Missouri, introduced an ordinance Thursday that outlines a financial framework for a new Kansas City Royals stadium at Washington Square Park.
Elected officials raise transparency concerns, push for public vote on Royals plan
Frustration and calls for transparency are already surfacing as local leaders react to a new proposal for a downtown ballpark for the Kansas City Royals.
North Kansas City residents react after city not selected for new Kansas City Royals stadium location
There was mixed reaction among residents in North Kansas City who learned the new Kansas City Royals stadium would not be built there after Kansas City, Missouri, introduced an ordinance Thursday.
'The best by far:' Royals fans react to latest stadium developments
The City of Kansas City is calling on the Royals to move downtown near Union Station and Crown Center.
New downtown stadium proposal at Washington Square Park brings mostly positive reaction
A new downtown stadium proposal at Washington Square Park is bringing a mostly positive reaction.
Developing . . .
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