COMMITTEE SUBSTITUTE RESOLUTION NO. 210949
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RESOLUTION - Establishing the City of Kansas City’s legislative major priorities and positions on matters for the 2022 session of the Missouri General Assembly.
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WHEREAS, the Missouri General Assembly will convene on January 5, 2022; and
WHEREAS, the City has engaged in a process to identify its major priorities and positions for the General Assembly; NOW, THEREFORE,
BE IT RESOLVED BY THE COUNCIL OF KANSAS CITY:
Section 1. MAJOR PRIORITIES. That the City adopts the following major priorities on matters that may come before the 2022 session of the Missouri General Assembly:
1. Equitable Fund Distribution: All federal relief funds distributed by the state should be allocated proportionally to local units of government based on population and/or demonstrated need, as measured by health and economic impacts. Kansas City should be considered as its own geographic sub-division, distinct from others, in any funding formulas that make awards to cities and/or counties.
2. Violence Reduction: Increase funding to local municipalities and non-profits for evidence-based efforts that address the root causes of gun violence. These include programs to provide support to victims of gun violence, diversion and intervention programs, and targeted programs that help law enforcement agencies solve more homicides and shootings.
3. Affordable Housing and Preventing Homelessness: Increase state support for affordable housing and homeless prevention efforts, particularly for cities and counties with higher numbers of homeless and/or housing cost-burdened residents.
4. Infrastructure: Provide additional funding for municipalities to maintain, upgrade, and build roads, bridges, sewers, sidewalks, parks, public transit services, broadband deployment for virtual educational and telehealth purposes and other critical infrastructure needs.
5. Local Decision Making: Legislative action to return the Kansas City Police Department to local control and provide the city and its residents with equivalent control over budgeting and policy decision to every other municipality in the state. Any state-imposed funding mandate such as a minimum budget requirement for law enforcement agencies should be fulfilled with state funds, in compliance with the Missouri State Constitution.
Section 2. POSITIONS. That the City adopts the following positions on matters that may come before the 2022 session of the Missouri General Assembly:
1. Earnings Tax: Oppose any effort to undermine the Earnings Tax and support the extension of the Earnings Tax renewal period to strengthen the City’s bond rating.
2 Low-income Tax Credits. Re-establish support for low-income housing tax credits and enhance support for programs that incentivize the production and preservation of affordable housing units.
3. Medicaid Implementation. Support full funding and implementation of Medicaid Expansion passed by voters in August 2020.
4. Transportation Funding. Support efforts to raise new revenues and allow state funding to address all current and future transportation needs, including the provision of zero-fare transit and expanded bus service so KCATA can better serve Kansas City’s workforce and employers.
5. Expanding Access to Democracy. Support legislation which allows for early voting and same day voter registration.
6. Discriminatory Laws. Oppose legislation that would be reasonably viewed as discriminatory toward any citizen of the State of Missouri and harmful to its economy and support legislative efforts to provide additional protections under the Missouri Human Rights Act, such as the Missouri Nondiscrimination Act (MONA), to prohibit discrimination in employment and housing.
7. Promoting Tax Uniformity in the Accommodation Industry. Support amending Missouri Revised Statutes Sections 92.325, 92.327 and 92.331 to ensure residential dwelling rentals are subject to the same tax obligations as similarly situated accommodation providers.
8. Quality Child Care. Support efforts to increase the accessibility of full-day and full-year quality birth through Pre-K programs for all Missouri students.
9. Economic Development. Support efforts to provide local jurisdictions with tools and funding mechanisms for fostering economic development in distressed neighborhoods.
10. Video Lottery Terminals. Oppose efforts to legalize Video Lottery Terminals (VLTs) in Missouri, and support efforts to capture revenue for education and transportation infrastructure through regulated sports gaming.
11. Protecting Victims of Domestic Violence. Support efforts to expand protections for victims of domestic violence, including state legislation based on Kansas City’s recently adopted ordinance relating to the unlawful carrying of concealed firearms in the City by persons who are subject to a restraining order or convicted of domestic violence.
12. Safe Parks and Public Spaces. Support Blair’s law legislation that will make discharging a firearm within or into city limits with criminal negligence a state offense.
13. Recidivism Reduction. Support funding of the Second Chance Risk Reduction Center and other programs created to reduce recidivism of former prisoners.
14. Safe Streets. Support efforts to protect pedestrians and drivers from distracted motorists by allowing local jurisdictions to prohibit dangerous practices such as texting and driving.
15. Transatlantic Air Service. Support state incentives to attract and maintain transatlantic air service from MCI and STL.
16. City Contracting. Support amending Section 8.250 of the Revised Statues of Missouri, to provide an exception for charter cities so the City can continue to award contracts to the lowest and best bidder.
17. Climate Protection and Resiliency, including Greenhouse Gas Reduction and Sequestration. Support efforts to meet the City’s climate goals by accelerating the transition to affordable, zero carbon energy, make buildings more efficient, invest in pedestrian and bike infrastructure, increase affordable housing near transit and jobs, and preserve and increase tree canopies and other natural areas.
Section 3. OTHER ORGANIZATIONS’ POSITIONS. That the City supports the legislative positions adopted by the Kansas City Consensus Agenda for Economic Development and the Kansas City Health Commission for matters that may come before the 2022 session of the Missouri General Assembly.
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