Jackson County Exec Denounces Legislature Over Budget Lawsuit

With most of the nation focused on the White House, we notice locals ignoring CRITICAL power moves closer to home at the courthouse.

Accordingly . . .

Released late this week, this note from the Exec's office deserves attention . . .  

THIS NOTE ON 12TH & OAK DRAMA FROM THE EXEC SHARES EXCLUSIVE DEETS ON THE BUDGET BATTLE CURRENTLY UNDERWAY!!!

 Agree or disagree . . . It's an important perspective to understand . . .

Jackson County Executive condemns baseless lawsuit as power grab to benefit insiders

Jackson County Executive Frank White, Jr. today denounced a blatantly political and legally baseless lawsuit filed by a small group of county legislators attempting to overturn his lawful veto of the 2025 budget ordinance. The petition, filed in Jackson County Circuit Court, misrepresents the County Charter, state law, and the legal authority of the County Executive.

“These legislators pushed through reckless, indiscriminate budget cuts that put public safety at risk, eliminate essential services and weaken county operations — all so they could free up money for their own political agendas,” said Jackson County Executive Frank White, Jr. “Their cuts slashed over $2 million from public safety, eliminated hundreds of essential public service positions, including 60 critical corrections positions and defunded vital services, while dramatically increasing their own legislative budget. I had no choice but to veto it in its entirety.”

Rather than working toward a responsible solution, this small faction of legislators is now using the courts in a desperate attempt to force through a budget they could not lawfully enact. The lawsuit has no legal basis and is nothing more than a political stunt designed to create chaos and seize control of county resources for their own benefit.

The Facts:

The County Charter explicitly grants the County Executive veto authority over any ordinance, including the budget. The Legislature had the opportunity to override the veto but failed to do so.

The County Counselor has reaffirmed the County Executive’s authority, consistent with prior County Counselors, who have long held that the County operates under the previous year’s budget until a new one is adopted.

This is nothing new. Jackson County has followed this process many times before, including during these legislators’ own terms.

Missouri law (RSMo § 50.620) ensures county operations continue even without an enacted budget, meaning there is no crisis—just political theater.

Today, the County remains fully operational under 2024 funding levels, as required by state law, until an annual county budget is adopted.

Beyond its lack of merit, this lawsuit raises serious transparency concerns and calls into question how it was coordinated. Given the number of legislators involved, it is difficult to believe this effort was organized without private discussions that may have violated Missouri’s open meetings law.

“This is a blatant attempt to weaken the Executive’s authority and gain control of county government for their own political and personal interests,” White said. “They want to take money away from public safety and essential services so they can funnel it into their own pet projects and hand out jobs and contracts to their friends. The people of Jackson County deserve better than backroom deals and political scheming.”

Despite these distractions, responsible leadership continues. Productive discussions are happening, and the County Executive remains focused on passing a budget that restores public safety funding, protects essential services, and upholds sound financial management — not one designed to enrich a few politicians and their allies.

“The people of Jackson County deserve leaders who put them first,” White said. “This lawsuit is a waste of time, a waste of taxpayer dollars and an insult to the residents we serve.”

County Executive White remains committed to working with all legislators who are serious about passing a responsible budget and urges those involved in this lawsuit to end the political stunts and focus on solutions.

Attached please find the County Executive’s veto message issued on January 9, 2025, the County Counselor’s legal opinion on the budget veto and the baseless, politically motivated legal filing.
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