KCPT’s Ruckus .

TOPIC 1: OUT ON A LIMB.
Political columnist Steve Kraske is predicting that Mitt Romney will be the GOP presidential nominee AND the next president. Kraske also predicts Claire McCaskill will win re-election and that Lt. Governor Peter Kinder will be pressured to withdraw his candidacy for re-election.
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TOPIC 2: KRASKE IN KANSAS.
Steve also offers a prediction or two about the Sunflower state. He says Governor Brownback’s legislative agenda includes some “whoppers.” Specifically, they are school finance, lower income taxes, redistricting and Medicaid reform. Kraske thinks Brownback will fail in the school finance and income tax categories, but will prevail on re-districting and Medicaid.
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TOPIC 3: WORST SCHOOL DISTRICT ANYWHERE?
Interim Kansas City School Superintendent Steve Green is not happy with Mayor Sly James’ depiction of the district as the worst in the country. James says he was quoting Education Secretary Arne Duncan whose reference was to the dropout rate. James also notes that when he met with the Secretary, Duncan endorsed the plan for mayoral control of Kansas City Schools.
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TOPIC 4: CORE VALUES.
Leaders of the Kansas City Urban Summit (including Gwen) say they plan a petition drive to put a one-eighth-cent sales tax on the ballot. The revenues would be used to “address blight, economic development and neighborhood stabilization.” The Kansas City Star quotes Gwen as saying “It is time to make a sustainable economic investment in Kansas City’s urban core.”

TOPIC 1: DESIGNED FOR CONTROVERSY.
A Missouri state representative wants “Intelligent Design” taught in public schools alongside Evolution. Rick Brattin says most Americans believe in a higher power and yet students are taught that we arose from “primordial ooze.” Brattin believes students should learn about both theories and then decide for themselves.

TOPIC 2: NO PLACE LIKE HOME!
Governor Brownback’s plan to eliminate the home mortgage deduction is causing considerable discussion and controversy. Democrats say they will oppose it.

TOPIC 3: BOTTOMS UP?
A report from the Urban Land Institute offers recommendations for improving the economic and physical aspects of the West Bottoms area. Among the suggested improvements—better transit, branding and landscaping. A Star editorial says the report could spark a brighter future.

TOPIC 4: CREATIVE DESTRUCTION
Columnist Tom McClanahan says the theory of “Creative Destruction” as a vital part of capitalism should be–and usually is–defended by Republicans, especially in presidential campaigns. The term, associated with the late economist, Joseph Schumpeter, involves clearing away declining companies, allowing capital to migrate and deliver the wealth creation enterprises need to prosper. This time, Governor Romney’s association with Bain Capital, a private equity and venture capital firm, is being criticized by some GOP candidates, notably Gingrich and Perry.

TOPIC 1: RAUCUS CAUCUS
The results of the Iowa Republican caucus are in (or will be tonight) and we’ll review. Who are the big winners? Losers? What’s the impact on the rest of the campaign?

TOPIC 2: NOTHING’S EASY!
A Jackson County judge has refused to temporarily halt student transfers from the Kansas City School District to suburban facilities. Area superintendents argue they will need time, money and more information before facilitating the numerous transfer requests spawned by the Kansas City district’s loss of state accreditation.

TOPIC 3: STATE OF THE STATES.
Both Missouri and Kansas state legislatures are going back into session. Kansas Governor Sam Brownback, recently profiled in the Washington Post, is getting set to deliver his State of the State address next week.

TOPIC 4: COME AND STAY AWHILE!
The Kansas City Convention and Tourist Association has hired a new sales executive in an effort to boost convention business. In 2011, hotel room night were down 30 percent from the previous year and off 50 percent from projections.