Insider: Kansas City Protesters LOST Regional Transit Support

Tonight . . . For Kansas City political news junkies we share courthouse insight that not only explains recent transit protest but how & why it FAILED to move the dial. 

Before we even start . . . We keep our sources confidential but this line offers perspective AND reveals a bit about how insiders witnessed this week's protest . . . 

"I support their mission, but their direction was misguided."

The basics . . .

KANSAS CITY ACTIVISTS DISCOURAGED SUPPORTERS & ALLIES ON THE LEGISLATURE WITH THEIR DISRUPTIVE TACTICS!!!

Moreover . . . 

The counterproductive impact of the protest is simply a FACT that prog bloggers and low-rent local social media stars aren't sharing with their communities because it's inconvenient.

Nevertheless . . .

This OFF-RECORD commentary takes our reader behind the scenes of how KC INSIDERS witnessed the demonstration . . .  

"They shortchanged themselves by not knowing how our agenda works and not listening to the discussion at hand. Fundamentally, every priority of government is baked into our budget. We were in the processes of debating whether Frank white’s veto is valid on our budget in unfinished business. New resolutions, not recognized on the agenda are to be introduced in new business; which follows the discussion being had on the budget.

"Erica decided that in unfinished business she would start the process to disrupt the meeting, what she did is decide that the two legislators that would have sponsored a resolution encouraging the Executive to take on the priority of regional transit said nothing after they threw their fit. They were advised that Sunrise was pushing an issue that not even their strongest advocates agreed with . . ."

"Because a failed ballot measure now means that they are barred from bringing it up again for two years. They were warned about this prior to their meeting and before they started the barrage of advocacy, it would seem that some folks just want to fight, unrelentingly to earn their “liberal stripes”. Mind you, all while the mayor directly proposed cuts to KCATA and the council can modify that budget, and put the money back in the KCATA “bucket”. These advocates had the wrong target.

"Not only would the two year bar dissuade April or August as viable ballot dates, but this year being a property assessment year means that bills will start rolling out prior to voting and likely killing any ability to increase taxes for anything!"

Read more via www.TonysKansasCity.com link . . .

"No Cuts, No Compromise!": Kansas Citians Mobilize to Defend Public Transit as Funding Crisis Looms - The Kansas City Defender

Kansas City's public transit system is at a breaking point. Without immediate funding, a 33% service cut will strand thousands of workers, students, and families who depend on buses every day.

Developing . . .