2008 Woodie Awards
Political Corner - Light rail debate
Jumoke Balogun
Issue date: 10/27/08 Section: News
Among other issues, Kansas City residents will vote this November on whether to build a light rail transportation system for the city.
The proposition reads, "shall the City of Kansas City impose a sales tax of one-fourth percent for the purpose of funding capital improvements, and a sales tax of one eighth percent, both for a period not to exceed 25 years, beginning April 1, 2009 ..."
Light rail is a divisive issue in the city, but many tout its economic benefits.
Kansas City Mayor, Mark Funkhouser, told the Kansas City Business Journal a light rail system would not only be a source of economic development, but 2,200 jobs would be created in the Kansas City area.
At a news conference last Wednesday, Kansas City Councilman Russ Johnson, Pete Levi, president of the Greater Kansas City Chamber of Commerce, Clyde McQueen, CEO of the Full Employment Council and Jeff Kaczmarek, CEO of the Economic Development Corporation of Kansas City, espoused the economic gains of light rail.
They cited different reasons for their support including easier transportation for workers and the city would attract young people and curb job losses.
Also, according to Johnson, light rail's cost counters poor economic development.
"For about a dime a day, we can have the kind of economic development the mayor espoused," he said.
However, the proposition is not supported by everyone.
Kansas City resident Patrick Tuohey filed a lawsuit to stop the initiative from appearing on the November ballot.
According to the Kansas City Star, Tuohey contends the Kansas City Council violated its charter by not reading the ordinance on three separate days at a regular or special meeting.
Funkhouser told the Star when the lawsuit was filed, "If we're going to have a community of choice, it needs to have the amenities people - especially young people - expect to find in a modern city, and transit is part of that."
Tuohey appears in court on Oct. 27. He has requested an earlier date.
Some business owners are also against the initiative. Kansas City lawyer Mike Messina told Prime Buzz, a blog operated by the Kansas City Star, that light rail would have an adverse effect on business.
"Our business and other merchants depend on vehicle traffic to deliver our customers … there is no doubt that vehicle traffic will be impeded during the construction period of the light rail system," he said.
According to the initiative, the light rail passenger system would run "from the area around the intersection of Bruce R. Watkins Drive and 63rd Street on the south to the area around the intersection of Northeast Vivion Road and North Oak Trafficway on the north."
jbalogun@unews.com
The proposition reads, "shall the City of Kansas City impose a sales tax of one-fourth percent for the purpose of funding capital improvements, and a sales tax of one eighth percent, both for a period not to exceed 25 years, beginning April 1, 2009 ..."
Light rail is a divisive issue in the city, but many tout its economic benefits.
Kansas City Mayor, Mark Funkhouser, told the Kansas City Business Journal a light rail system would not only be a source of economic development, but 2,200 jobs would be created in the Kansas City area.
At a news conference last Wednesday, Kansas City Councilman Russ Johnson, Pete Levi, president of the Greater Kansas City Chamber of Commerce, Clyde McQueen, CEO of the Full Employment Council and Jeff Kaczmarek, CEO of the Economic Development Corporation of Kansas City, espoused the economic gains of light rail.
They cited different reasons for their support including easier transportation for workers and the city would attract young people and curb job losses.
Also, according to Johnson, light rail's cost counters poor economic development.
"For about a dime a day, we can have the kind of economic development the mayor espoused," he said.
However, the proposition is not supported by everyone.
Kansas City resident Patrick Tuohey filed a lawsuit to stop the initiative from appearing on the November ballot.
According to the Kansas City Star, Tuohey contends the Kansas City Council violated its charter by not reading the ordinance on three separate days at a regular or special meeting.
Funkhouser told the Star when the lawsuit was filed, "If we're going to have a community of choice, it needs to have the amenities people - especially young people - expect to find in a modern city, and transit is part of that."
Tuohey appears in court on Oct. 27. He has requested an earlier date.
Some business owners are also against the initiative. Kansas City lawyer Mike Messina told Prime Buzz, a blog operated by the Kansas City Star, that light rail would have an adverse effect on business.
"Our business and other merchants depend on vehicle traffic to deliver our customers … there is no doubt that vehicle traffic will be impeded during the construction period of the light rail system," he said.
According to the initiative, the light rail passenger system would run "from the area around the intersection of Bruce R. Watkins Drive and 63rd Street on the south to the area around the intersection of Northeast Vivion Road and North Oak Trafficway on the north."
jbalogun@unews.com
Viewing Comments 1 - 2 of 2
Pamela Tatro
posted 10/28/08 @ 8:56 AM CST
Light Rail is the proper choice. Your congestion will only get worse and adding busses is not the answer. Just check with Los Angeles. They have already seen more pro's than con's by having Light Rail. (Continued…)
Jim
posted 10/28/08 @ 2:15 PM CST
I moved here from Portland and loved having the light rail there. I am confused about the wording of the issue here and would like for someone to explain to me what the last part means. (Continued…)
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