Jackson County Stadium Sales Tax Debate: Marshall Roasts McGee

We've talked about the big picture and the very real risk of the Royals leaving the Kansas City metro. 

Now let's drill down into the deets and take a glimpse at courthouse power moves and some of the working parts that might just stop working as election deadlines move closer . . . 

The latest . . .

JACKSON COUNTY LEGISLATURE FIRE FIGHT: MARSHALL'S OPEN LETTER DESTROYS DERON McGEE'S SALES TAX POWER MOVE!!!

Background . . .

3rd District At-Large Legislator Megan Marshall is a Marine representing the Lee's Summit area and a former suburban School District member . . . She has patiently learned the ropes at the courthouse but now seems to be stepping away from the "Freedom 5" alliance and speaking independently. 

For those who don't know . . . 4th District Legislator DaRon McGee is a former Hickman Mills School Board member and also an urban leader with a vast network of contacts across the metro & the Missouri political spectrum. His work extends far beyond the urban core and he led several South KCMO neighborhood collaborations. 

Now . . .

Posted just a few moments ago . . .

TKC believes this message from Megan Marshall is important because, insiders remind us that, not even the Exec can pass anything without approval from the Legislature and this public dispute signals VERY REAL DIVISIONS that don't seem anywhere close to getting resolved as the January 23rd deadline for an April vote approaches.

Here's what Legislator Marshall posted on FB:

"Ordinance 5822, introduced by Chairman Daron McGee, writes a blank check to the Kansas City Royals for an additional 40 years.

"The idea that a new sales tax would be placed on the ballot without a negotiated lease agreement, no Community Benefits Agreement, or any favorable terms for the County is quite frankly incredible.

"Jackson County residents are enduring historic inflation, stagnant wages, rising interest rates, and soaring property tax bills, to place another tax on the ballot without securing any taxpayer benefits reeks of indifference and ensures defeat at the ballot box.

"There's a better way forward."

It gets better . . .

Just so there aren't any doubts about her position . . .

Legislator Marshall posts a two page open letter explaining her sales tax opposition in greater detail.

Here's the line that stands out to TKC;

"The language in the proposed ordinance appears to seek approval for a new sales tax, rather than an extension of the current three-eighths cent sales tax approved in 2006, which is set to expire in 2031. Sales taxes are regressive and disproportionately affect marginalized communities. Jackson County residents are enduring historic inflation, stagnant wages, rising interest rates, and soaring property tax bills, to place another tax on the ballot without securing any taxpayer benefits reeks of indifference and ensures defeat at the ballot box."

Click the image or this link for a bigger, better view of page 1:

Click the image or this link for a bigger, better view of page 2:

Again, for our www.TonysKansasCity.com blog community, here's a fundamental fact of life . . .

KANSAS CITY ROYALS STADIUM DEAL DIVISIONS & THIS OPEN LETTER REVEAL THAT JACKSON COUNTY ISN'T ANYWHERE CLOSE TO A DEAL TO KEEP THE ROYALS!!!

This isn't a process that hasn't reached the launchpad . . . These notes reveal that realistic designs haven't even been drawn up. 

Perspective . . .

Mayor Q is assuring naive locals that the Royals will stay put . . . Today the newspaper played softball with Jackson County Exec Frank White and he seems relaxed about the "process" moving forward. But, again, anyone familiar with how government works knows that the war of words we've featured today reveals CRITICAL DIVISIONS that will impact any KCMO stadium deal.

Finally . . .

TKC isn't taking sides in this debate betwixt legislators . . . But what taxpayers should know is that this kind of gridlock and hard feelings aired publicly have now exposed OBVIOUSLY STALLED STADIUM NEGOTIATIONS that clear a path for other cities to step in and steal the team.

Developing . . .