KCPT’s Ruckus .

This week:

WALMART RULES!
We’ll discuss Yael’s column about Walmart and some of the controversies surrounding the retail giant in the metro area. We can also discuss the ongoing issues caused for smaller “mom and pop” style businesses when they try to compete with giant national stores.

TANTAMOUNT TO ELECTION?
The only two mayors to serve in Kansas City, Kansas, since the formation of the Unified Government have jointly announced their support for Mark Holland in the upcoming mayoral primary. The obvious assumption is this will be a great asset to his campaign. But is it possible there is also be a down side?

WHAT’S IN A WORD?
Writing about the Kansas school finance issue, Star columnist Tom McClanahan takes issue with the word “suitable” in the state constitution. Suitable precedes “provision” and refers to the “finance” of public education. McClanahan wonders about the efficacy of the term and how ” suitable provision” can be adequately defined. Some legislators are hoping to stop the state courts from making that judgment and are attempting to make certain that future decisions will rest with the legislative and executive branches. A state court recently ruled (as did the state Supreme Court in 2005) that the current level of funding is inadequate.

STATE OF THE UNION
This will be a general discussion of the president’s Tuesday evening speech and the Republican response.

ROASTS AND TOASTS

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

This week – Thursday, January 17, 2013:

COURTING CONTROVERSY
A three-judge panel has ruled that the school finance provisions in Kansas do not conform to constitutional standards. The court-ordered changes could amount to half-a-billion dollars. The state will appeal the ruling. Some argue that dollars-and-cents decisions of this sort should be made by elected officials, not appointed judges.

STATE OF THE STATE
Kansas Governor Brownback delivers his State of the State address this evening. (6:30 p.m. Check your local tv listings for details.) The Star’s editorial page has outlined a five-point agenda it urges Brownback to implement.

TEMPORARY?
Kansas City, Missouri, voters will be asked in April to pass a “temporary” renewal of the health care levy to assist the poor and uninsured. Critics say this is too long an extension in view of the changes taking place in health care, especially “Obamacare.”

DEFENDING HIS “POWELL”
Colin Powell gave an unequivocal endorsement to Defense Secretary nominee, Chuck Hagel. Powell rejected criticisms of Hagel’s views on Iraq, Iran, and Israel.

ROASTS AND TOASTS