It’s been more than four months since voters rejected funding for a new Royals baseball stadium and improvements to Arrowhead Stadium. Now Jackson County lawmakers are one step away from putting the issue back on the ballot. But this time with a big twist.
Another vote on sales tax in the stadium
Later in the day, county lawmakers will vote on whether to add a chiefs-only sales tax to the November ballot.
The wording calls for a sales tax of ¼ cent for 20 years. There is no funding for the royals whatsoever.
It looks like Jackson County will leave this matter to Mayor Quinton Lucas.
The mayor of Kansas City says he is working on a plan for a new downtown baseball stadium that would bypass a referendum by using a “creative mix” of tax incentives to finance the project. The Royals have not yet commented on the plan, frustrating Gov. Mike Parson. He says the team will have to decide soon on how to proceed if it expects financial help from the state.
5 IMPORTANT DECISIONS AND NEW DEVELOPMENTS TO KEEP AN EYE ON
- Tax for aging in place: In addition to the stadium tax, Jackson County lawmakers will decide today whether to put a second question on the November ballot to fund senior services. Supporters say the slight property tax increase will allow older residents to “age in place” with better transportation, meals on wheels and home repair programs. Opponents say it’s the wrong time to ask county voters to increase their property tax bills.
- Murder rate reaches 100: Kansas City reached a grim milestone over the weekend, starting the week with more than 100 homicides. Although the number of murders is down from last year, Kansas City Mayor Quinton Lucas says the city is “running out of excuses.”
- ACCOMMODATION IN DANGER: Plans for Johnson County’s first permanent homeless shelter could be derailed today. The Lenexa Planning Commission meets tonight and is expected to reject a permit to convert a La Quinta Inn and Suites in Lenexa into a year-round shelter for up to 50 homeless families.
- REQUEST A TROT: Construction on Johnson County’s first toll road is expected to cause significant disruption to motorists this week. All ramps at the busy 119th St exit on Highway 69 have been closed in both directions. It will be completely closed to traffic for two months. Restaurants and shops on 119th Street says it’s ruining her business.
- Fluff up your feathers: A new law in Missouri is causing a stir this week. Starting Wednesday, Missouri homeowners’ associations will no longer be allowed to prohibit the keeping of chickens in one’s own backyard. State lawmakers say skyrocketing egg prices have prompted them to make the change. The new law allows Missouri homeowners to keep up to six chickens on pasture. Several homeowners’ associations have threatened to sue.
Also effective this week … A new ban on celebratory gunfire in Missouri. The law prohibits the reckless discharge of a firearm within city limits. Also called Blair’s Law, it is named after an 11-year-old Kansas City girl who was killed by a ricochet bullet in 2011.
New legal challenges for abortion law
In November, Missouri will not only elect a new president, but also vote on a statewide abortion amendment, but could the issue be kept from a vote because of a new legal dispute?
Two Missouri Republican lawmakers and an anti-abortion activist have filed suit to block the bill because it does not specify what other state laws it could overturn if passed, including a current ban on certain types of stem cell research.
Time is running out for a judge to rule on the case. The election isn’t until November, but Missouri election officials will begin printing ballots in about three weeks.
This is not the only election proposal being challenged in court at the last minute.
In addition, a lawsuit is pending to prevent the sports betting question from being placed on the November ballot.
A judge could decide the case this week.
DOLLY PARTON IN KC
Taylor Swift is reportedly currently in town hanging out with her crush Travis Kelce at his Leawood Mansion.
But watch out… Guess who’s here this week? Dolly Parton.
The country music legend will not sing but will announce the expansion of her free children’s book program in Missouri. Parton will appear at a downtown event on Tuesday alongside Governor Mike Parson.
Can you go and see them? The short answer is no. It is a private event with hand-picked participants from the world of early childhood education.
You can also watch the event live online. We are partnering with the Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education to live stream the special event.
For more information, visit kansascitypbs.org/dolly.
You can also register your children and grandchildren for Parton’s free Imagination Library program, which will send them free children’s books to their homes.
DOWNTOWN MUSEUM CLOSES ITS DOORS
The Historic Garment District Museum at 8th and Broadway will close its doors permanently on Friday.
Opened in 2002, it is a testament to the important role Kansas City once played in the apparel industry.
Kansas City once produced over 25% of all clothing in the United States and had the second largest garment district in the country after New York.
After this week, the museum’s collection will be stored in the basement of Union Station.
Some of the 350 exhibits could be exhibited in the renovated Kansas City Museum in the future.
CHILDREN’S MERCY PARK WELCOMES “NEW TEAM”
This week it will be a little crowded around Children’s Mercy Park.
Starting Thursday, the home of Sporting KC will also be the new home for KU football, at least temporarily.
As renovations to its stadium in Lawrence continue, the University of Kansas must find another venue.
KU football will play its first home game on Thursday night against Lindenwood at Children’s Mercy Park.
The venue has less than 48 hours to convert its soccer field into a football pitch, as Sporting also has a big game this week. On Tuesday evening, they face Indianapolis in the semi-finals of the US Open Cup.
More sports news…
- College football is back on both sides of the state line, with Mizzou opening the season at home against Murray State on Thursday.
- The K-State Wildcats host Tennessee-Martin on Saturday at Bill Snyder Stadium in Manhattan.
- America’s most prestigious tennis tournament, the US Open, officially begins today.
- The Paralympic Games begin in Paris on Wednesday.
MEGA FESTIVAL WEEKEND
It may be a short week for some Kansas City residents as they take advantage of the long Labor Day weekend, but for those of us who stay here, the granddaddy of all festival weekends is upon us.
Kansas City Irish Festival returns to Crown Center on Friday.
And hurray! Get out the turkey legs and put on a British accent for the first weekend of the Renaissance Festival in Bonner Springs.
And the three-day SantaCaliGon Days begins Friday in Independence. Started 84 years ago, it celebrates the start of the Santa Fe, California and Oregon Trail. Today, there are funnel cakes, rides and all-day musical entertainment.
