In a Missouri General Assembly session that was marked with even more partisan bickering . . . Kansas City legislators made one significant accomplishment.
Local legislators cleared the way for The Kansas City Land Bank during a contentious election cycle where not much else was accomplished for this town.
This work is exceptionally impressive to denizens of Kansas City's political scene because it's an example of local Democrats cooperating to get things done in a GOP dominate institution. This is important to realize because Mayor Sly is already planning a bunch of press conferences and even more chats with reporters in order to claim sole credit for the deal.
In the Missouri Senate Victor Callahan remains one of the few Democrat legislators with the muscle to push forward legislation.
This latest victory for State Senator Callahan continues to pique curiosity regarding the next move in his political career.
Meanwhile, in the Missouri House, the earnest efforts of Rep. John Rizzo moved forward the legislation with cooperation from across the aisle.
TKC INSIDER'S TELL US . . . The bi-partisan cooperation is noteworthy but longtime Kansas City political watchers might remember that Victor Callahan and John Rizzo's Dad Henry Rizzo (Former State Rep. And Jackson County legislator) didn't always get along . . . So . . . This bit of legislation not only crosses political lines but also generational divisions as well.
About the KC Land Bank . . . There are voices who oppose the upcoming institution but the effort to deal with Kansas City vacant properties has met with widespread support. The only realistic argument I've heard against it is that the effort could hurt the biz of folks who rehab homes . . . However, the small biz people who perform home rehab work are often a lot faster and more efficient than any government body so I'm not sure there will be much conflict in that regard.
In any event . . . The Kansas City Land Bank hopes to help clean up a great many of the vacants in this town and it's probably the most important/only thing that was accomplished for Kansas City during this session. Thanks to KC INSIDERS for offering insights into a few key players who made it happen.
Why don't you show the complete list of KCMO representatives and senators and how they voted on such a critical piece of legislation?
ReplyDeleteBecause most of them suck.
ReplyDeleteTony is just playing favorite as usual.
I've given up trying to figure out Tony's motives. But I do like the story behind what motivated these two.
ReplyDeleteNice pictures by the way, T.
Rizzo and Callahan are perfect examples of why Jackson County is in bad shape.
ReplyDeleteWell hey, who the hell is that with Rizzo?? She's hot as a firecracker..........
ReplyDeleteWith a really bad hair DON'T
ReplyDeleteWhen is Victor going to come out of the closet?
ReplyDeleteRight after county exec mike sanders does.
ReplyDeleteGood job by both . The past is gone.
ReplyDeleteVictor's mistress is politics. He lives and breathes it. Wish there were more who even showed up.
ReplyDeleteSure Rizzo did.
ReplyDeleteIt is easy to reach across the aisle to the Republicans, if you offer something profitable to the rich, and this Land Bank will do that. Investors will make tons of money. I am not saying that is a bad thing.
ReplyDeleteBut most things that this state and its citizens need do not offer sweetener to the rich; therefore, the Republicans will oppose any effort to "work together." And, the agenda that the Republicans push hurts most citizens of this state, so I would be pissed if the Democrats "cooperated" just for the sake of hearing Tony sing Kumbiya.
Maybe Tony, the Democrats should work with the Republicans first in the area of taking away Latino rights? If the Democrats goal was to cooperate, then you would be tattooed and on a box car by now and you know it.
Victor's mistress is politics? More like a 39 year old man.
ReplyDeleteVictor actually dates, or did date, a fitness instructor. Pretty lady, as a matter of fact.
ReplyDeleteAnon 8:39 AM
ReplyDeleteTony's not an illegal alien. If you would deport American Citizens because of their skin color, then you are a fascist, racist puke.
A good move on Sen Callahan's part.
ReplyDeleteMissing from Henry Rizzo's list of accomplishments is Convicted Criminal who Served Prison time for his Crimes.
ReplyDelete5/20/12 10:06 AM in other words, the modern Republican Party.
ReplyDeleteSo, whats Callahan going to do now that he's term limited from the senate? He's got a whole lotta bank.
ReplyDeleteCallahan for county exec!!!
ReplyDeleteCallahan likes men.
ReplyDelete