KCPT’s Ruckus .

This week:

WOODY THE WIZARD
As Woody predicted, a couple of property owners have filed suit against the two-mile starter streetcar system. The plaintiffs allege they’re being subjected to “taxation without representation.”

STATE TAKEOVER? AGAIN?
In Jefferson City, there’s talk of legislation that might permit a state takeover of the Kansas City, Missouri, School District by as early as next fall.

KOBACH TO THE FUTURE
It appears that Secretary of State Kris Kobach will not challenge either Senator Roberts or Governor Brownback in the 2014 elections. And, a Mission Hills Democrat with deep pockets, says he is planning to spend “whatever it takes” to defeat Kobach in the incumbent’s bid for re-election.

WHO DO YOU TRUST?
A new Pew Poll shows a large percentage of Americans don’t trust their federal government. A smaller number–but still a majority—say the national government threatens their personal rights.

ROASTS AND TOASTS

This week – January 24, 2013:

DEFENDING KEMPER
A group has formed with the goal of keeping Kemper Arena intact. The American Royal Association hopes to demolish the 38-year old facility and build a coliseum-like structure to house agricultural and horse shows year-round. Kemper has struggled as a mainstream entertainment venue since the opening of the Sprint Center downtown.
American Royal Officials wonder where the Kemper supporters were when Sprint was going on the ballot.

Gun Control
The Johnson County Sheriff says gun control is like unilateral disarmament and that the founders are probably ‘spinning in their graves.” Frank Denning says he will not support or enforce any law that restricts the gun rights of tax-paying, law-abiding citizens.
A new survey shows that 60 percent of high school and college students plan to own a gun (or think about it) when they purchase a home.

AND AWAY WE GO!
Jackson County Executive Mike Sanders has refined his plans for a county-wide transit system that would include tracks, buses, biking paths and more. The cost of 650 million dollars would be paid by a one-cent sales tax.

A SECOND “FIRST”
America’s first black president is serving his second term. Barack Obama was sworn in on the day when the nation celebrated the legacy of civil rights leader Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

ROASTS AND TOASTS

Ruckus: March 21, 2013

YAEL AND SLY’S BIG FIVE
As the mayor delivers his “State of the City” address, Yael has outlined five challenges the mayor faces. Among those is “Improving Kansas City schools.”

STUDYING THE OBVIOUS?
Mayor James has appointed a 30-member commission to study whether there should be local control of the Kansas City Police Department. James won’t give his views, even though he has a unique vantage point as a police board member.

DETAXIFICATION
The two candidates for mayor of KCK have a lot in common. Both Ann Murgia and Mark Holland went on the UG commission in 2007 and have nearly identical voting records. The lone exception: Murgia voted against a property tax hike in 2011; Holland cast a “yes” vote. Holland’s view prevailed.

RAILROADED
Jackson County Executive Mike Sanders’ plan for a commuter rail system has been stopped, at least for now, by Kansas City Southern’s new requirement that the line terminate at Union Station, not the City Market area. Sanders is known for his meticulous attention to detail and had been working on this project for more than a year.

ROASTS AND TOASTS

Ruckus, Thursday, May 16, 2013:

CAPITAL PUNISHMENT?
Both Missouri and Kansas legislatures are in the waning days of their current session. Kansas has already passed tax cuts. Now, Missouri has followed suit. Governor Nixon, however, has indicated he may veto the bill saying it threatens vital state interests.

NEW EYES ON KCI
We’ve heard much criticism on Ruckus and elsewhere about the plan for a one-terminal KCI. Now, the Star has editorially offered some possible benefits a new airport would provide. Among them: better security; more passenger access to amenities; and environmental friendliness. Let’s hear what our guest panelists think about the KCI plan.

THINGS GO BETTER WITH KOCH?
The Koch brothers are said to be interested in acquiring some of the nation’s largest newspapers. The Star’s Steve Rose says the duo is already a major political force. Adding newspapers to their orbit should be scary to both liberals and conservatives.

LAP-BAND DANCE
New Jersey Governor Chris Christie—40 pounds lighter, thanks to a lap-band–is answering critics of his sometimes maverick conservative Republicanism. We’ll play a portion of his response which is in the news story you’ll receive.

Ruckus: May 2, 2013
STEVE ROSE SITS IN FOR WOODY

GO AHEAD, BUTT IN
Steve writes in a recent column that he usually doesn’t “butt in” on issues across the state line. But he willing to make an exception when it comes to the KCI terminal debate.

“I” STAND FOR IRRITATING!
An area of I-35 near downtown Kansas City is reduced to two lanes of traffic in each direction because of a bridge replacement project. The construction is causing major traffic disruptions during rush-hour periods and when people are driving downtown for evening events. The work will continue until December 20th.

GWEN AGAIN!
Gwen is a frequent presence on local media because of her work with the Urban League and her role as a civic leader. One of her most recent projects involves working with columnist Lewis Diuguid on articles examining the social and economic issues still facing the African-American community. Gwen prescribes a re-birth of housing, business and jobs in the 3rd and 5th districts as a way to improve the economic climate and create a new crop of black civic leaders for Kansas City.

BROWNBACKSLIDE
Governor Brownback, often criticized for his conservatism, is now being accused of acting like a moderate in trying to preserve a sales tax destined to expire this summer. His often cooperative conservative colleagues in the legislature seem resistant to his entreaties. Brownback wants the sales tax revenues to offset losses caused by his and the legislature’s support of lower income taxes.

ROASTS AND TOASTS

This week, Thursday, May 23, 2013:

CAPITAL GAINS?
The Kansas City Star suggests that the only beneficiaries of the just completed Missouri legislative session are gun owners and rich people.

JUST “GOOD OLD BOYS”
Yael complains that the “Old Boys Club” is controlling the most important political seats in the metro area. He is also concerned that few women are present in the top rungs of area businesses. And, Yael sees no change in the offing.

ONE MAN, ONE ILLEGAL VOTE
The “Rizzo” case reminds us that there are still occasions when vote fraud occurs.

BLAST FROM THE PAST
Legendary journalist Bob Woodward says the current crises surrounding the Obama administration don’t yet rise to the levels of the Watergate scandals. But he does say the editing of the Benghazi talking points seems “Nixonian.”

ROASTS AND TOASTS

This week May 9, 2013: the endless debate over economic policy continues; the litigation concerning the two-mile streetcar starter system in Kansas City is now headed to the state Supreme Court; time to talk politics with the consultants; it seems both Missouri and Kansas legislatures are rebuffing federal authority when it comes to gun legislation.

THE GREAT DEBATE
Our reactions.

THE NEW COMEBACK KID!
Congressman Todd Akin is staying in the race for the U.S. Senate and is getting support from some key Republicans who earlier had called for him to leave because of his controversial “rape“ comment. Despite his impressive showing in the polls and enhanced financial support, national analysts (it seems to me) are still discounting his chances.

A SECOND TIME FOR THIRD GRADE
The Republican Chairman of the Kansas House Education Committee is interested in “retainer” legislation that would require third-graders not reading at grade level to stay third-graders. This would preclude ‘social promotions” where children are moved to the next grade level, despite their academic deficiencies.

FOOD NAZIS AND THE SLIPPERY SLOPE
Star columnist Tom McClanahan writes about increasing government intrusion into what and how much people eat and drink. While he thinks some government involvement is reasonable, McClanahan is concerned about “the slippery slope” and those he calls “America’s Food Nazis.” The columnist points to efforts by New York City to control soft-drink size and federal government’s calorie standards for school menus.

ROASTS AND TOASTS