IN THE COUNTY LEGISLATURE OF JACKSON COUNTY, MISSOURI
DEFEATED 10/18/2010
Title
A RESOLUTION joining the Greater Kansas City AFL-CIO, the Civic Council of Greater Kansas City, Greater Kansas City Chamber of Commerce, Greater Kansas City Firefighters IAFF Local 42, the Missouri Municipal League, and the Missouri National Education Association, in opposition to Proposition A, a state-wide ballot measure that could end the earnings tax in Kansas City and St. Louis.
Intro
RESOLUTION #17399, October 18, 2010
INTRODUCED BY Theresa Garza Ruiz, County Legislator
Body
WHEREAS, on November 2, 2010, Missouri voters will decide whether to approve Proposition A, a ballot measure that, if adopted, would allow local voters to end the Kansas City earnings tax; and,
WHEREAS, loss of the earnings tax would eliminate a significant revenue source for Kansas City and St. Louis, resulting in a decrease of $200.6 million in revenue to Kansas City and $141.2 million in revenue to St. Louis; and,
WHEREAS, the earnings tax funds essential services for the citizens of Kansas City and Jackson County, including police and fire protection, snow removal, traffic light and street repair, sanitation, medical and emergency care, and social services for low-income families and children; and,
WHEREAS, the earnings taxes levied in each city are the only way the cities have to spread among their respective region's residents the cost of providing basic city services and amenities such as the Kansas City Zoo and the Liberty Memorial; and,
WHEREAS, the loss of funds provided by the Kansas City earnings tax would impose greater taxes on Kansas City residents by forcing the entire tax burden of providing basic services and regional amenities to be carried by Kansas City residents alone and increase the strain on resources provided by Jackson County; and,
WHEREAS, passage of Proposition A could lead to the elimination of a significant source of revenue for the Kansas City general fund, but does not authorize any replacement revenue sources and presents no realistic expectations that an increase in property or sales taxes would fill the void; and,
WHEREAS, numerous community, civic, and labor organizations have announced their opposition to Proposition A, citing concerns for the impact this initiative could have on our community, including the poorest segments who are already suffering the financial strain brought by the current economic climate; now therefore,
BE IT RESOLVED by the County Legislature of Jackson County, Missouri, that the Legislature joins the Greater Kansas City AFL-CIO, the Civic Council of Greater Kansas City, Greater Kansas City Chamber of Commerce, Greater Kansas City Firefighters IAFF Local 42, the Missouri Municipal League, and the Missouri National Education Association, in opposition to Proposition A and pledges its support for efforts to educate the public about the consequences of eliminating the Kansas City earnings tax.
Enacted and Approved
Effective Date: This Resolution shall be effective immediately upon its passage by a majority of the Legislature.
APPROVED AS TO FORM:
______________________________ ________________________________
Chief Deputy County Counselor Acting County Counselor
Certificate of Passage
I hereby certify that the attached resolution, Resolution #17399 of October 18, 2010, was duly defeated on October 18, 2010 by the Jackson County Legislature. The votes thereon were as follows:
Yeas __________3_________ Nays _________0__________
Abstaining ________5_______ Absent ________1__________
______________________ _________________________________
Date Mary Jo Spino, Clerk of Legislature