Comments on: TIF abuse reaches new heights in Briarcliff

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mmzzqexdhh — Fri, 22 Jun 2007 01:06:46 +0000

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By: OutofBusiness

OutofBusiness — Wed, 03 Jan 2007 16:42:29 +0000

Another casualty of this program is all of the vital small businesses on North Oak that were declared ‘blighted’ and now have to find new diggs.

By: laamr mickens

laamr mickens — Wed, 03 Jan 2007 11:12:52 +0000

Isn’t it funny how the Bonnie Sue and Fairfield can support TIF’s for areas like the Northlands, but we can’t even get them to spend money of the Third and Fifth Districts? Areas that were intended for TIF’s? Areas that more than qualify for TIF’s?

I’m doing a project that both Bonnie and Fairfield have known about for nearly three years? Funny how they can’t seem to help generate monies for the Urban Core, but they and their cohorts can get money for the Northlands? And Bonnie has the nerve to say the Northlands are being ignored? No wonder poverty and the death toll keeps rising in my community; while they make sure that their homes and way of life prosper. Must be nice to be selfish! Thank God they won’t be back!

By: Adrianne

Adrianne — Fri, 29 Dec 2006 00:48:11 +0000

Another reason why EVERYONE should vote in the upcoming City Council elections. The way to show your disapproval is with a vote of no-confidence.

By: Joe Medley

Joe Medley — Fri, 29 Dec 2006 00:01:49 +0000

TIF is only the tip of the iceberg. With TIF, most of the time property taxes are just frozen at current levels. With PIEA and 353, property taxes are completely eliminated. Also, TIF plans are required to report to the TIF commission and the TIF commission to the General Assembly annually. That means I can point you to a single document that outlines where all the money is going for KCMO’s TIF plans. As far as I’ve ever been able tell, there are no such requirements for PIEA and 353.

The time for action on this may be getting close.

* TIF reform bills for the 2007 session have been filed in both houses of the Missouri General Assembly.

* A group called Reclaim Democracy has comissioned a study of TIF by the economic department of UMKC. The study is scheduled to be released in January. Members of this group were not sure they understood it well enough to take a position on the issue, so they asked UMKC to find out exactly what effect it has had on Kansas City, Missouri. People close to this group tell me that Mark Funkhouser was very cooperative with the study’s authors.

* A group that I’m involved with is holding an educational forum on TIF next Wednesday evening. Panelists include a community activist, a KCMO TIF compliance officer, and a representative of the MainCor Community Improvement District. Anyone interested in attending can read the details here: http://dfa.meetup.com/61/calendar/5312378/

* Somebody has started a blog that focuses on the abuses of development incentives. It’s address is http://www.kctifed.blogspot.com

By: Ryan

Ryan — Thu, 28 Dec 2006 18:45:57 +0000

Politicians who oppose corporate welfare and TIF abuse and support fiscal responsibility get raked over the coals in the Star, maligned by the establishment, ignored, and don’t serve for long.

By: vichykc

vichykc — Thu, 28 Dec 2006 14:36:24 +0000

Response? There are probably a few dissenters on the council, or former councilman like Ford, but it seems in this town unless your getting your name in the papers you’re a lame duck. Even negative press is good press in this town.

By: KC Guy

KC Guy — Thu, 28 Dec 2006 14:27:09 +0000

If this is bad (which I agree it is) what civic action is being done to stop it? What citizen action? What government action? Who is the oversight person?

I like reading about these things here, but what is lacking is information detailing the response or reaction to such corruption.

By: BlogKC

BlogKC — Thu, 28 Dec 2006 04:16:51 +0000

I also like Cash Cow Cooper, despite the misogynistic undertones. It goes well with Credit Card Kay.

By: doinkman

doinkman — Thu, 28 Dec 2006 03:59:44 +0000

Yes, great post!

Bonnie says the Northland is “kind of the cash cow”, well then why do they need these subsidies? If the region is already a cash cow that would indicate to me that the economic engine is already started. Is that too logical of thinking inregards to our city council?

Furthermore, the notion that building a hotel 5 miles north is great for “Having additional hotel space this close to Downtown” doesn’t pass the laugh test for me.

Tony: I vote for Cash Cow Cooper.