Cindy Circo Starts GO for KC PAC May 23, 2013

Circo’s PAC logo

Kansas City Mayor Pro Tem Cindy Circo is forming her own political action committee (PAC). Circo’s PAC is called ‘Growth and Opportunity for KC", the shorthand nickname will be ‘GO for KC’.
A news release says it will be "designed to support candidates and programs with a shared vision for expanded growth and opportunity in Kansas City".
"“I’ve enjoyed being a part of the effort to get Kansas City back on track, and GO for KC will allow me to take an even more active role in shaping the future of our city for years to come," Circo said in a statement.
The PAC may also be a vehicle to run for higher office if Circo decides to do that.
Circo may not have any office in mind right now, but having the PAC established could help make a quicker campaign launch if she decides to do that.
In the release, Circo mentions several topics the PAC may get involved with:
-jobs

-online infrastructure ( think Google Fiber)
-technology applications for enviro entail issue
-neighborhood development

KFOR Aerial Of Smashed Neighborhood May 20, 2013

Final Day To-Do List May 17, 2013

(AP) – For the fourth straight year, Missouri lawmakers were entering the final day of their annual session with a proposal to overhaul the state’s numerous tax credit programs still lingering as a remote possibility.

Facing a mandatory quitting time of 6 p.m. Friday, legislative leaders planned to make one final attempt to pass legislation that would create several new business incentives while scaling back the amount of tax credits awarded annually for the renovation of historic buildings and the construction of low-income housing.

The agenda for the final day could also include one last attempt in the Senate to refer a transportation sales tax to the 2014 ballot.

Even if both of those matters fail, Republican legislative leaders already were declaring the session a success. They highlighted the passage of a potential $700 million income tax cut, new labor organization restrictions, numerous pro-gun measures, a tweak of the state’s education laws governing unaccredited schools and a bill that would restock an insolvent state fund for disabled workers, among other things.

The tax credit overhaul also was listed as a priority by some lawmakers and Gov. Jay Nixon when the annual session began in January. But as in the past, House and Senate members had different opinions about how greatly the state should curtail the historic and low-income housing tax credits.

A plan being circulated for final-day consideration would reduce annual tax credits for historic preservation projects to $90 million from the current cap of about $140 million. It would gradually lower the cap for the main low-income housing tax credit to $110 million annually from the current $135 million.

Nixon Signs Bill Blocking NKC Hospital Sale May 15, 2013

(Left) Sen Ryan Silvey, Gov Jay Nixon, (right) Rep. Jay Swearingen.

The bitter battle over whether it not to sell North Kansas City Hospital may be over.
Missouri Governor Jay Nixon signed a bill Wednesday blocking the sale of the metro’s 4th largest hospital, unless voters approval a sale. The controversy erupted last summer when hospital official became
Convinced the Northtown City Council was exploring selling the facility to a for-profit corporation. North Kansas City Hospital
Is an independent not for profit operation.
North Lansas City appoints members of the hospital board of trustees, but it does not get not received eu from the hospital.
The sale dispute triggered a set of lawsuits, angry press releases and a city election where the incumbent mayor and a council Members, both supported a
Potential sale, were soundly defeated in re-election bids.
Republican Clay County Dtate Senator Ryan Silvey and Democratic St. Rep Jay Swearingen pushed the sale blocking legislation.
immediately,” said Silvey, R-Clay County. He added, “Now, NKC Hospital cannot be sold or leased without ultimately being approved by a vote of the people of NKC. This journey was all the best about how government is supposed to work,” said Silvey.
“This is a big win for Northlanders as they now have a seat at the table in the decision making process just as they should have all along,” said Swearingen, D-Kansas City. “It’s unfortunate the General Assembly had to step in. “

KC Curfew Stalls May 15, 2013

A bid to establish a new curfew for younger Kansas Citians in the city’s entertainment district is on hold.
Talks between the city and some Kansas City young people have been going in for some time over the issue.
City Councilman John Sharp says there needs to be more time to develop a working plan. “We have a year round curfew now”, Sharp noted.
He says the problem is the city has at least four sets of curfews,depending on what time of the year it is, and how old the young person is.
The latest plan calls for a 9pm curfew for people 17 and younger in the entertainment districts. Sharp thinks that is too early.
Another Councilman, Jermaine Reed, called the latest plan, ‘the Save the Plaza’ curfew. “But what we need to do is save all of or young people,” Reed said. One option under consideration
Is for the city to spending more money on providing Kansas City young people with more entertainer alternatives rather than just hanging out.