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.

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

Ruckus: April 18, 2013

THE CONSTANT CAMPAIGN
In last week’s column, Yael looked ahead to the mayoral race in 2015 and what appear to be very favorable odds that Sly James will win a second term. We’ll talk about James’ accomplishments thus far and the challenges ahead. And, we’ll discuss how this mayor is being treated by the news media.

P.R. IS THE ANSWER! MAYBE
One way the city is trying to deal with opposition to the one-terminal option at K.C.I. is through a public relations campaign. A firm has been hired for 174-thousand dollars. What will it do? Doesn’t the city government already have public relations staff on its payroll? How would you recommend a public relations campaign be conducted for KCI?

IS “BREAKING NEWS” BROKEN?
A former network correspondent, Ed Rabel, writes that local television news across the country is a “waste of time.” Rabel, now a columnist and author, claims local coverage mostly contains fender-benders, house fires and high school reunions. Rabel was not writing about any specific community, but about local television news in markets across the country.

MISSING IN ACTION: PARENTS

There continue to be reports of teens, young adults, and small children (one as young as seven) wandering the Country Club Plaza on weekends. One report describes dozens of unsupervised teens being guided away from the Plaza by police at about midnight on Saturday. No parental presence observed! Is this continuing problem in local entertainment venues insoluble without parental involvement? Any indication that parents are responding? Are there other solutions?

ROASTS AND TOASTS