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An editorial by Mayor Mike McDonough supporting the proposed user tax

On Nov. 2, Raytown voters will be asked to go to the polls and vote “yes” or “no” on a local use tax. This single ballot question will be a game changer. If passed it will generate an estimated $200,000 to $400,000 annually for our general fund. It would generate funds to help pay for such city services like street repairs, street maintenance, and additional police officers.

How will this be funded? Simply by doing what Raytown citizens are already doing, shopping online with certain out-of-state vendors. We all know the shift to online shopping reached an all-time high during COVID-19. In fact, nationally, consumers spent $861 billion online with U.S. merchants in 2020, according to Digital Commerce 360 estimates. That is a 44 % increase from the previous year. Consumers are using internet sales as their primary shopping method, and currently the City of Raytown does not receive sales tax on those purchases. That’s 2.5 % on each transaction that the city is not collecting. This small percentage adds up over time and across purchases.

Therefore, it is so important for our citizens to carefully consider this ballot question and what it will mean for our city.

I say this all the time. Raytown is a great town. Our city is rich in community spirit. We are proud of what our city offers. If we are to maintain our quality of life, we must level the field between local brick and mortar stores and online retailers.

Right now, the city is using its reserves to keep up with maintaining basic city services. City property taxes have remained the same since 1978. Most other taxes the city collects are dedicated for specific purposes and cannot be used in the General Fund. So, let’s just think about this. Are you making the same wage from 1978? Of course not. Why should the city be expected to try and meet current day expenses with a 1978 paycheck?

Many untruths and misperceptions are being circulated about the use tax. Here are the facts:

 

  1. It’s Not a tax increase. The local use tax will not increase or change our local sales tax. It will only be applied to some out-of-state online purchases.
  2. It is Not a double tax. A local use tax would only be applied to goods purchased, delivered and used in Raytown from certain online and out-of-state vendors, instead of a sales tax. You will never pay both taxes on a single transaction.
  3. It is Not a new tax. Local retailers are already collecting a local sales tax. A use tax would allow the city to collect a use tax (sales tax) from out-of-state retailers or online vendors.

In simple terms, an online sales tax, better known as a use tax, simply requires online merchants to charge sales tax, which is then issued to the municipality in which the purchase was made. In Raytown, brick and mortar stores charge a 2.5% local sales tax, which is the exact same amount consumers would pay for online purchases if the use tax passes.

You see, it is the responsibility of your local government to offer services that citizens expect, like roads and public safety. In Raytown, those items, among many others, are paid for by sales tax dollars. The longer Raytown goes without a use tax, the harder it will be for the city to support economic development projects. If a city cannot provide support to economic development, then it will be more difficult to attract new businesses and new residents, as well as keeping the longtime residents here.

Let me say this. I am not a tax and spend kind of guy, but this city has done all it can with the resources we are given. Expenses keep going up, while the citizens keep expecting more and better services. These services take money to maintain and improve. We all want better roads, police and infrastructure. It takes money. We are losing or leaking tax dollars to internet sales at a rapid rate. It is time to make things fair for the brick-and-mortar stores that have a footprint in this city and must collect taxes on their sales. Please be educated on what this measure truly means for us now and on into the future. It is time to replenish the supply of tax dollars lost to internet shopping so that we may continue to support city services and keep this wonderful city moving forward, not falling behind.

This city is a wonderful place to live, work and play. Give your city government the tools to maintain services and move forward with projects to enhance our lives here. I am asking as your Mayor and longtime fellow citizen to please vote yes on this measure on November 2nd, 2021.

Thank you for your time and thank you for your vote for our town’s future. God Bless.

Sincerely,
Mayor Mike McDonough

An editorial by Alderman Greg Walters opposing the user tax

Reprinted FROM THE Kansas City Star OCTOBER 29, 2021

Raytown Voters do not need to handThe following is a Guest Editorial by Ward 1 Alderman Greg Walters. It was originally published on Ocober 29, 2021. Mr. Walters is serving in his 30th year as a member of the Raytown Board of Aldermen. He also publishes a weekly news/blog named the Raytown Report since 1997. The Raytown Report can be accessed at www.raytownreport.blogspot.com

over a blank check in Sales Use Taxes 

On Tuesday Raytown voters will decide the fate of a new 2.5% Sales Use Tax. This Band-Aid approach of slowly ratcheting up the cost of living with a new sales tax is deeply flawed.

Pro tax forces have run a campaign of misinformation to persuade voters to buy into this unfair and regressive tax increase.  They complain inflation is costing the city tax dollars, particularly in franchise tax fees.

That is nonsense.

Franchise taxes in Raytown are paid for by homeowners and businesses when they pay utility bills. These taxes are assessed on how much you pay for electricity, natural gas, telephone service (cell and landline), and cable services. Franchise taxes are tied directly to inflation. If the cost of your service goes up, so does the franchise tax you pay.

All sales taxes are tied directly to inflation as well. For instance, the more you spend on groceries, the more the city makes. The pro tax people claim the city has had declining revenues. That is simply not true.

In fact, in 2019/2020 (at the beginning of the Covid-19 Pandemic) the city actually had a banner year. Sales tax revenues have remained robust into 2021. Because of inflation, city tax revenues will continue to rise.

Real estate and personal property tax revenue is on the rise as well. Want proof? Check out the increase of what homes are selling for in the Raytown area. There is a housing shortage. Demand has driven prices up. Higher values means more real estate tax revenue for the city.

Another falsehood being spread by the pro-tax people is that this new Sales Use Tax is a tax on internet retailers.

That is extremely misleading.

If this Sales Use Tax passes purchases from out of state internet sellers would be charged an additional 2.5%. The vendor does not pay the tax.

As with all sales taxes, the vendor acts as an agent for the taxing entity. The retailer remits the sales tax collected to the State of Missouri. The state redistributes the tax collected to local governing entities.

An interesting fact about the Sales Use Tax is that less than half the cities in the State of Missouri collect it.

There is also a question of what is fair and equitable for Raytown taxpayers.

The Use Tax is a regressive tax.

It hurts those most who have the least. It is a financial drain on low and fixed income households as compared to those with higher incomes.

A seatmate of mine on the Raytown Board of Aldermen, Derek Ward, has suggested the city should look at Municipal Bonds.

A Better Way.

Municipal Bonds would raise more money, more quickly, than levying a Sales Use Tax on Raytowners. Best of all, it would jump start long overdue improvements to city streets, particularly in our neighborhoods.

What Raytown really needs is more accountability from its elected leaders. The proposed 2.5% Sales Use Tax provides none.

All the money collected under the proposed Sales Use Tax will go into the general fund. No earmarks for improving our city’s infrastructure. No money set aside for improvements to neighborhoods.

A Municipal Bond is different because the money from bonds can only be spent on what the voters are promised.

Such bonds are valuable because they are enforced by Bond Covenants that are iron clad.

If voters approve the Sales Use Tax there is no guarantee where the money will be spent.

Therefore, no accountability.

It would be accurate to say you are writing a blank check to City Hall. Those blank checks to City Hall have not worked in the past.

Those blank checks will not work now.

VOTE NO Sales Use Tax

Special Election

Tuesday, November 2, 2021

Better yet, Vote No and remind your neighbors, friends and family to do the same.

Please note my new email address:     greg@serviceprintingandgraphics.com

Greg Walters

Service Printing & Graphics, Inc.

1146 Harrison

Kansas City, MO 64106

greg@serviceprintingandgraphics.com

www.serviceprintingandgraphics.com

816-842-9068      office

816-517-6852      cell

816-842-4763      fax

Proposed USE Tax = Mail order and Internet Sales TAX

The proposed “Use Tax” is a tax on items you order shipped to you. I found it hard to find any information about the specifics, so I did a little research and found a copy in the Board of Aldermen packet for Aug. 17th and will include it in this post. 

The city does need more income. This may help. I would suggest that more effort also be placed in getting real valuations for many business properties, especially on the 350 highway. 

I assume that this will mirror Missouri in not taxing prescription medicine, but will tax food. Missouri being one of the few states that does not exclude food from sales tax, but does exempt drugs if they are prescription. 


CITY OF RAYTOWN Request for Board Action​​ 

Date: August 12, 2021 Bill No.: 6579-21 To: Mayor and Board of Aldermen Section No.: III-A-9 From: Damon Hodges, City Administrator​​ 

Department Head Approval:​​ 

Finance Director Approval: ​​​​ ________________________​​ (only id funding is requested)

City Administrator Approval:​​ 

Action Requested:​​ Request approval of ordinance to authorize a question regarding a use tax to be placed on the November 2, 2021 ballot.

Recommendation:​​ Approve the Ordinance.

Analysis:​​ Pursuant to the authority granted by the provision of Sections 144.060 through

144.761 RSMo., the City of Raytown is authorized to ask voters to approve a use tax.

A use tax applies to purchases from out-of-state retailers. Currently, someone making local purchases pays the City’s sales tax rate of 2.50% on every purchase (1% General Fund, .50% Transportation Fund, .375% Capital Fund, .50% Public Safety Fund .125% Park Fund). ​​​​ The City currently does not have a voter approved use tax; therefore, any items purchased from a business located outside of Missouri does not require the business to collect and remit the local sales tax.

Adoption of a use tax would require that the same tax rate is charged on items purchased locally or online.

The City of Raytown took similar steps in August 2016, when voters were asked to consider an initiative dealing with out-of-state motor vehicle sales, trailers, boats, outboard motors and RV’s. Voters approved the continuation of the tax by 72%.

The Missouri Municipal League in conjunction with the Missouri Department of Revenue, has completed an extensive analysis regarding the potential revenue being lost across the State in those cities that do not have a use tax. A use tax would generate an estimated $400,000.00 annually, dependent on the City’s gross receipts.

Alternatives:​​ Failure to adopt this ordinance would leave the City without the funds.

Budgetary Impact:​​ 

Not Applicable

\\EDGE\administration\Board​​ of Aldermen Meetings\AGENDAS-BOARD OF ALDERMEN\Agendas 2021\08-17-2021\Ord Use Tax 2021 RBA.doc

BILL NO. 6579-21 ORDINANCE NO.​​ _______ SECTION NO. III-A-9​​ 

AN ORDINANCE IMPOSING A USE TAX AT THE RATE OF TWO AND ONE-HALF PERCENT (2.5%) FOR THE PRIVILEGE OF STORING, USING, OR CONSUMING WITHIN THE CITY ANY ARTICLE OF TANGIBLE PERSONAL PROPERTY PURSUANT TO THE AUTHORITY GRANTED BY AND SUBJECT TO THE PROVISION OF SECTIONS 144.600 THROUGH​​ 

144.761 RSMO; PROVIDING FOR THE USE TAX TO BE REPEALED, REDUCED OR RAISED IN THE SAME AMOUNT AS ANY CITY SALES TAX IS REPEALED, REDUCED, OR RAISED; AND PROVIDING FOR SUBMISSION OF THE PROPOSAL TO THE QUALIFIED VOTERS OF THE CITY FOR THEIR APPROVAL AT THE GENERAL ELECTION CALLED AND TO BE HELD IN THE CITY ON NOVEMBER 2, 2021, AND PROPOSING THE FORM OF THE BALLOTS TO BE EMPLOYED AT SAID ELECTION AND DIRECTING THE CITY CLERK TO DO ALL THINGS CALLED FOR BY LAW IN CONNECTION WITH THE HOLDING OF SAID ELECTION​​ 

WHEREAS, the City has imposed local sales taxes, as defined in Section 32.085 RSMo., at the rate of 2.50%; and,

WHEREAS, the City is authorized, under Section 144.757 RSMo., to impose a local use tax at a rate equal to the rate of the local sales taxes in effect in the City; and,

WHEREAS, the proposed City use tax cannot become effective until approved by the voters at a municipal, county or state general, primary, or special election; and,

WHEREAS, the Board of Aldermen of the City of Raytown, Missouri, has determined it would be in the best interests of the City of Raytown, Missouri to impose a use tax;

NOW THEREFORE, BE IT ORDAINED BY THE BOARD OF ALDERMEN OF THE CITY OF RAYTOWN, MISSOURI, AS FOLLOWS:​​ 

SECTION 1 – SUBMISSION TO THE VOTERS. Pursuant to the authority granted by, and subject to, the provisions of Sections 144.600 through 144.761 RSMo., a use tax is imposed for the privilege of storing, using or consuming within the City any article of tangible personal property. This tax does not apply with respect to the storage, use or consumption of any article of tangible personal property purchased, produced or manufactured outside this State until the transportation of the article has finally come to rest within this City or until the article has become commingled with the general mass of property of this City.

SECTION 2 – RATE IMPOSED.​​ The rate of the tax shall be two and one-half percent (2.50%). If any City sale tax is repealed or the rate thereof is reduced or raised by voter approval, the City use tax rate also shall be deemed to be repealed, reduced or raised by the same action repealing, reducing, or raising the city sales tax.

SECTION 3 – BALLOT FORM.​​ This tax shall be submitted to the qualified voters of Raytown, Missouri, for their approval, as required by the provisions of Section 144.757 RSMo., at the General Election hereby called and to be held on the 2nd​​ of November, 2021. The ballot of submission shall contain substantially the following language:

BILL NO. 6579-21 ORDINANCE NO.​​ _______ SECTION NO. III-A-9​​ 

FOR GENERAL ELECTION IN THE CITY OF RAYTOWN, MISSOURI ON TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 2, 2021

“Shall the City of Raytown impose a local use tax at the same rate as the total

local sales tax rate, provided that if the local sales tax rate is reduced or raised by

voter approval, the local use tax rate shall also be reduced or raised by the same

action?”

¨​​ YES​​ ¨​​ NO

INSTRUCTIONS TO VOTERS

If you are in favor of the question, place an “X” in the box opposite “Yes”. If you are

opposed to the question, place an “X” in the box opposite “No”.

SECTION 4 – ADMINISTRATION. That any sales tax imposed pursuant to this ordinance shall be computed, imposed, reported, administered, collected, enforced and shall operate in all respects in accordance with the provisions of the Revised Statutes of the State of Missouri and upon such forms and under such administrative rules and regulations as may be prescribed by the Director of Revenue, any provision of this ordinance notwithstanding.

SECTION 5 – NOTIFICATION OF DIRECTOR OF REVENUE. Within ten (10) days after the approval of this ordinance by the qualified voters of Raytown, Missouri, the City Clerk shall forward to the Director of Revenue of the State of Missouri by United States Registered Mail or Certified Mail, a certified copy of this ordinance together with certifications of the election returns and accompanied by a map of the City clearly showing the boundaries thereof.

SECTION 6 – EFFECTIVE DATE OF TAX. That any sales tax imposed pursuant to this ordinance shall be effective on the first day of the applicable calendar quarter after the director of revenue receives notice of the adoption of the sales tax.

SECTION 7 – REPEAL OF ORDINANCES IN CONFLICT. All ordinances or part of ordinances in conflict with this ordinance are hereby repealed.

SECTION 8 – SEVERABILITY CLAUSE. The provisions of this ordinance are severable and if any provision hereof is declared invalid, unconstitutional or unenforceable, such determination shall not affect the validity of the remainder of this ordinance.

SECTION 9 – EFFECTIVE DATE.​​ This Ordinance shall be in full force and effect from and after the date of its passage and approval.

BILL NO. 6579-21 ORDINANCE NO.​​ _______ SECTION NO. III-A-9​​ 

BE IT REMEMBERED​​ that the above was read two times by heading only,​​ PASSED AND ADOPTED​​ by a majority of the Board of Aldermen and​​ APPROVED​​ by the Mayor of the City of Raytown, Jackson County, Missouri, 17th​​ day of August, 2021.

________________________________

Michael McDonough, Mayor

ATTEST:

____________________________

Teresa M. Henry, City Clerk

Approved as to Form:

________________________________

Jennifer M. Baird, City Attorney

Video of Rock Island Trail as it was 4 years ago.

Rock Island Trail nearing completion

Check out KCTV5’s article on the Rock Island Trail through Raytown by clicking HERE.

 

The Board of Aldermen voted on a resolution to Censure Alderman Greg Walters

Alderman Walters escaped censure by his fellow Aldermen by one vote. The final vote was 7 to censure, 2 against censure, and one abstention. The ethics rules require 8 of the 10 aldermen to vote to censure. 

Voting for censure of Alderman Walters:
Alderman Frank Hunt
Alderman Jason Greene
Alderman Jim Aziere
Alderman Janet Emerson
Alderman Ryan Myers
Alderman Mary Jane Van Buskirk
Alderman Bonnaye Mims

Voting against censure of Alderman Walters:
Alderman Derek Ward
Alderman Greg Walters

Abstaining from voting:
Alderman Bill Van Buskirk

R-3373-21: A RESOLUTION CENSURING ALDERMAN GREG WALTERS AS
APPROVED BY THE BOARD OF ALDERMEN OF THE CITY OF RAYTOWN, MISSOURI.
Point of Contact: Mayor Michael McDonough and Mayor Pro Tem Ryan Myers.

To the best of my knowledge Alderman Walters is the first to have a censure resolution directed at him. The full list of charges and evidence is part of the web packet on the city website. Skip to page 322 after you download the packet by clicking HERE

Included are the 5 pages of the resolution, but without the over 100 pages of supporting evidence. Please forgive the loss of formatting of this document. 

 

RESOLUTION NO: R-3373-21
Page 1 of 5
A RESOLUTION CENSURING ALDERMAN GREG WALTERS AS APPROVED BY THE BOARD
OF ALDERMEN OF THE CITY OF RAYTOWN, MISSOURI

WHEREAS, the City of Raytown (herein “City”) has a Code of Ethics and Conduct For
Elected and Appointed Officials (herein “Code of Ethics and Conduct”) that governs the conduct of
City Officials, to include the members of the Raytown Board of Aldermen (herein “Board”); and

WHEREAS, the Board members are bound to review this document, inform themselves of
its contents and to abide by its provisions in all interactions and communication with and about
other Board Members, City Staff, Mayor, and members of the public, including conduct during
Board of Aldermen meetings; and

WHEREAS, excellence in performance by Board members, City employees, and other
appointed board members, is the best way to achieve our common goal of ensuring quality of life in
Raytown. To be most effective, the efforts of all must be integrated. A special obligation of the
Board is to set a leadership example to promote cooperation. The public expects the best
communication, planning, and decision-making possible from its representatives and employees.
The Board must strive for high standards of behavior and performance to benefit all City residents.
Adherence to the City’s Code of Ethics and Conduct will ensure effective guidance and operation
of this Board of Aldermen and will accentuate a positive, open, and productive environment for all;
and

WHEREAS, each Alderman is required to keep an open and receptive mind toward the
views and opinions of others, raising concerns in private on a one-to-one basis before making
public comment; and

WHEREAS, each Alderman is expected to practice civility and decorum in discussions and
debate, be respectful of diverse opinions, honor the role of the Mayor, voice objections to the
Mayor or Chair’s actions politely and with reason, following parliamentary procedure, stay focused
and act efficiently during public meetings, refrain from politicizing procedural or ministerial actions,
and be courteous and respectful to City Staff; and

WHEREAS, governance of a City relies on the cooperative efforts of elected officials, who
set policy; and City Staff members, who analyze problems and issues, make recommendations,
and implement and/or administer the Board’s policies. Every effort should be made to cooperate
with and show mutual respect for the contributions made by individual City Staff members for the
good of the community; and

WHEREAS, a member’s responsibility does not entitle any Board member to monopolize
the City’s resources, usurp the judgment of the City Administrator or interfere with a City Staff
member carrying out his or her duties; and

WHEREAS, Board members should treat all City Staff members as professionals, channel
communications and concerns through the City Administrator, never publicly criticize individual
Staff or officers—instead, directing such concerns to the City Administrator—avoid involvement in
administrative functions, be cautious about communicating the City’s position on policy issues, and
rely upon City Staff to respond to citizen complaints and concerns; and,

WHEREAS, each Board member is accountable to the full Board for his or her actions; and

RESOLUTION NO: R-3373-21
Page 2 of 5

WHEREAS, it has come to the attention of the Board that Alderman Greg Walters has
engaged in a pattern of conduct that is or may be in violation of the Code of Ethics and Conduct
provisions set out above, among others, as it regards his interactions, in public and private, with
City Staff, fellow Aldermen, and others; and

WHEREAS, such conduct or pattern thereof is inappropriate; and

WHEREAS, the Board wishes to express its condemnation of the conduct and make clear
that all City Officials are bound by the Code of Ethics and Conduct.

NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE BOARD OF ALDERMEN OF THE CITY
OF RAYTOWN, MISSOURI, AS FOLLOWS:

THAT, the Board finds that Alderman Greg Walters has engaged in acts that violate the
obligations of the Code of Ethics and Conduct in his interactions with the Board, City Staff, and
others over a period of months, as set out in Exhibit “A”; and

FURTHER THAT, Alderman Greg Walters is hereby censured for his conduct in violation of
the provisions of the Code of Ethics and Conduct as set out herein; and

FURTHER THAT, based on input from Aldermen, City Staff, and personal observations, the
assembled board finds the conduct of Alderman Greg Walters, as it regards fellow Aldermen, the
Mayor, the City Administrator, City Staff, and Citizens, to have violated the Code of Ethics and
Conduct as follows:

Recently, a complaint from a City employee was filed with the Mayor and City
Administrator in regard to your recent behavior toward them. The complaint indicates
that you have had communication with the Jackson County Board of Election
Commissioners regarding an incident that occurred in the City Administration office while
a candidate was filing for office. It is my understanding that you were not in the room at
the time of the incident. To send such a complaint, in such a manner, is in direct violation
of the City of Raytown Code of Ethics and Conduct, passed by the Board on November
19, 2019 as Resolution R-3254-19. Your actions violate Section B, Conduct Guidelines,
3. Elected and Appointed Officials’ Conduct with City Staff, Subsection C, “Never
publicly criticize an individual employee” (See Exhibit “B” and “C”).

To Wit: Alderman Walters communicated his complaint to the Jackson County Board of Election
Commissioners, instead of addressing the issue through the chain of command, through private
correspondence, to the Mayor or City Administrator Damon Hodges. This is unacceptable.

FURTHER THAT, in addition to the above violation, since joining the Board, Alderman
Walters has regularly violated other items from the Code of Ethics and Conduct as referenced
above. The Mayor has sent numerous memos/emails to Alderman Walters about how City
business is to be run. The Board has one City employee that answers to the Board: the City
Administrator. The City Administrator was hired by the Board of Aldermen to run the day-to-day
operations of the City. The Mayor has, on numerous occasions, written to Alderman Walters via
email of the need to follow the Board’s procedure for good governance (See Exhibit “D”). It is a
standard that is recognized by Fourth-Class cities with a City Administrator form of government
(See Exhibit “E”). The continuation of this behavior is unacceptable.
RESOLUTION NO: R-3373-21
Page 3 of 5

FURTHER THAT, since being elected, Alderman Walters has chosen to call City
Department Heads directly to ask questions. Even after multiple warnings, Alderman Walters has
ignored this request (See Exhibit “F”). The City Administrator has informed Department Heads, and
Department Heads are instructed, to contact the City Administrator and the Mayor should
Alderman Walters breach the chain of command in the future. The continuation of this behavior is
not acceptable.

FURTHER THAT, Alderman Walters has a propensity to show a pattern of behavior that
violates multiple sections of the Code of Ethics and Conduct document referenced both in letter
and spirit of the code. Below is a summary of each item within the Code of Ethics and Conduct
concerning Alderman Walter’s behavior to aid in ease of edification.

A. ETHICS
• Comply with both the letter and spirit of the laws and policies affecting the operations of
government; and
• Are independent, impartial, and fair in their judgement and actions; and
• Use their public office for the public good, not for personal gain; and
• Conduct public deliberations and processes openly, unless required by law to be
confidential, in an atmosphere of respect and civility.
“Therefore, the Mayor, members of the City’s Board of Aldermen, City Collector, and City Judge
and of all boards, committees and commissions shall conduct themselves in accordance with the
following ethical standards. For ease of reference the term “member” refers to any member of the
Raytown Board of Aldermen, Mayor, City Collector, Municipal Judge or city boards, committees
and commissions established by city ordinance or Mayor and Board of Aldermen policy.”

1. Act in the Public Interest.
• Recognizing the stewardship of the public interest must be their primary concern, members
will work for the common good of the people of Raytown and not for claims and
transactions coming before them (See Exhibit “G”).
Allowing accusations and misinformation to be posted on your blog about the parks
being unsafe or how employees do not do their jobs is not being a good steward of
the public interest.

2. Comply with both the spirit and the letter of the Law and City Policy
• Members shall comply with the laws of the nation, the State of Missouri, and the City of
Raytown in the performance of their public duties.

3. Conduct of Members.
• The professional and personal conduct of members while exercising their office must be
above reproach and avoid even the appearance of impropriety. Members shall refrain from
abusive conduct, personal charges or verbal attacks upon the character or motives of other
members of the Board of Aldermen, Mayor, Boards, committees and commissions, the staff
or public (See Exhibit “H”).

RESOLUTION NO: R-3373-21
Page 4 of 5

4. Respect for Process

• Members shall perform their duties in accordance with the processes and rules of order
established by the Mayor and Board of Aldermen (See Exhibit “I”).

11.Use of Public Resources
• Members shall not use public resources which are not available to the public in general (e.g.,
city staff time, equipment, supplies, or facilities) for private gain or for personal purposes not
otherwise authorized by law. All request for legal opinions shall be remitted to the City
Administrator, who will determine if matter should be forwarded to Legal Counsel. The
Mayor and Board of Aldermen, not individual members, shall give staff direction
regarding the allocation of city resources for substantial projects and modification to
City code (See Exhibit “J”).

14. Policy Role of Members
• Members shall respect and adhere to the Mayor and Board of Aldermen-City Administrator
structure of Raytown City government as outlined in the Raytown City Code. In this structure,
the Board of Aldermen determines the policies of the city with the advice, information and
analysis provided by city staff, boards, committees and commissions, and the public. Except
as provided by the City Code, members shall not interfere with the administrative
functions of the city, the professional duties of city staff or consultants to the city; nor
shall they impair the ability of staff to implement Board of Aldermen policy decisions
(See Exhibit “K”).

15. Independence of Boards, Committees and Commissions
• Because of the value of the independent advice of Boards, Committees, and Commissions to
the public decision-making process, the Mayor and members of the Board of Aldermen shall
refrain from using their position to unduly influence the deliberations or outcomes of
Board, Committee and Commission proceedings (See Exhibit “L”).
16. Positive Workplace Environment
• Members shall support the maintenance of a positive and constructive workplace environment
for city employees and for citizens and businesses dealing with the city. Members shall
recognize their special role in dealings with city employees to in no way create the
perception of inappropriate direction to staff.

B. CONDUCT GUIDELINES
1. Elected and Appointed Officials’ Conduct with Each Other in Public Meetings

(a) Honor the role of the chair in maintaining order
Elected and Appointed Officials’ Conduct with City Staff
(a) Treat all staff as professionals
• Clear, honest communication that respects the abilities, experience, and dignity of each
individual is expected. Poor behavior towards staff is not acceptable.

RESOLUTION NO: R-3373-21
Page 5 of 5
(b) Do not disrupt city staff from their jobs.
• Elected and appointed officials should not disrupt city staff while they are in meetings, on
the phone, or engrossed in performing their job functions in order to have their individual
needs met. Do not attend City staff meetings unless requested by staff – even if the elected
or appointed official does not say anything, his or her presence shows partiality, may
intimidate staff, and hampers staff’s ability to do their job objectively.
(c) Never publicly criticize an individual employee
• Elected and appointed officials should never express concerns about the performance of a
City employee in public, to the employee directly, or to the employee’s manager. Comments
about staff performance should only be made to the City Administrator through private
correspondence or conversation. Appointed officials should make their comments regarding
staff to the City Administrator or the Mayor (See Exhibit “C”).
Allowing/Encouraging blog responses criticizing employees is a violation of the
adopted Code of Ethics and Conduct.
(d). Do not get involved in administrative functions.
• Elected and appointed officials acting in their individual capacity must not attempt to
influence city staff on the making of appointments, awarding of contracts, selecting of
consultants, processing of development applications, or granting of city licenses and
permits.

FURTHER THAT, the Board is expressing its condemnation of conduct of Alderman Greg
Walters and the said violations to the Code of Ethics and Conducts for Elected and Appointed
Officials adopted pursuant to Resolution R-3254-19 on November 19, 2019; and

FURTHER THAT, the Board calls on Alderman Greg Walters to refrain from such behavior
brought forward in this Resolution in the future and to act in a manner which is in accordance with
the Code of Ethics and Conduct and uphold the dignity of his office.

FURTHER THAT this resolution shall be in full force and effect from and after the date of its
passage and approval.

PASSED AND ADOPTED by the Board of Aldermen and APPROVED by the Mayor of the
City of Raytown, Missouri, the 13th day of April, 2021.
________________________________
Michael McDonough, Mayor
ATTEST: Approved as to Form:
____________________________ ________________________________
Teresa M. Henry, City Clerk Jennifer M. Baird, City Attorney

Raytown April 6th Election Endorsements

City and school district elections often times has more real effects on our lives than any other political elections. 

There are two contested races for a seat on the Raytown Board of Aldermen and two of the candidates stand out as being thoughtful and stable in nature. 

For Ward I: Ian Scott

For Ward II: Loretha  Hayden

The contrast between Mr. Scott’s performance and that of his opponents in the League of Women Votes forum was sharp and revealing. 

Ms. Hayden’s work in the community and business experience reflect the experience that would be a valuable addition to the Board of Aldermen. Her opponent’s most recent mailing of “Veterans in support of” with purposely blurred faces is in short just bizzarre. 

For Raytown School Board: Alonzo Burton’s record of professionalism and energy has been a welcome addition and he has earned another term. 

Michael N. Downing
Editor of Raytown Online

Ian Scott for Alderman in Raytown Ward I

Hello, I’m Ian Scott. I’m running for Raytown Alderman in Ward 1 and I’d like to introduce myself a little bit.

I’ve lived in the Kansas City area my whole life. I grew up in Belton and have lived in Raytown for the last 12 years. I’m a member of River Church Family, have an office in the River of Refuge building on Raytown Road, and live right in the heart of Ward 1. My wife, Maria, and I have a busy young family, with five children ages 9 to 4. Two of our kids are homeschooled, two attend Blue Ridge Elementary, and our youngest is not-very-patiently excited to start preschool later this year. When not in school, we love our Monday “adventure day” trips to nearby state parks, nature centers, the Zoo, and Science City. During the school year, we love the Chiefs and Royals, and Saturday “adventure days.”

Over the years, I’ve participated in numerous outreach programs and events through my church and River of Refuge including Summer Lunch Program; cleanups at local parks and public spaces; donation drives for school supplies and teachers’ resources; service projects such as mowing lawns, painting houses, and donating and delivering groceries. I’ve greatly enjoyed all these experiences and look forward to many more opportunities to serve my Raytown neighbors.

I’m a young man but I’ve held leadership roles throughout my life: youth leadership council of my high school youth group, editor-in-chief of the Longview Community College student newspaper, creative arts pastor, worship leader, retail department manager, head of White River Productions’ digital publishing department. I also currently serve on our church council overseeing the finances of River Church Family.

I have some ideas I’d like to see unfold in our city: more local business, communities coming together in friendship, safer streets and neighborhoods through improved infrastructure and crime prevention. More than my own ideas, though, I want to hear from you. I feel like elected leadership’s highest responsibility is to understand the needs of the people you serve and work to address them. So my platform is: Listen to people • Learn their needs and struggles • Solve problems and improve our community

————-

Thank you,
Ian Scott

 

April 6th Election information

Raytown is designated Brooking Township by the Jackson County Election Board. Polling locations are determined by what precinct in Brookings Township you live at. The map below will help you locate your precinct and the information below the map indicates where those precincts vote at. 

 

Raytown Poll locations

1,2,3 Raytown Library 6131 Raytown Rd
4,8 Connection Point at First Baptist Church 10500 E State Route 350
5,7 Raytown Central Middle School 10601 E 59th St
6,9,10,20 Laurel Hills Elementary 5401 Lane Ave
11,15 Raytown South Middle School 8401 E 83rd St
12,13,14,17,19 Raytown South High School 8211 Sterling Ave
16,18 Southwood United Church of Christ 7904 Raytown Rd

SAMPLE BALLOT
CITY OF RAYTOWN, MISSOURI
GENERAL MUNICIPAL ELECTION
TUESDAY, APRIL 6, 2021

FOR ALDERMAN – WARD 1
IAN SCOTT
JAYNE LOULOS
WRITE-IN

FOR ALDERMAN – WARD 2
TONY JACOB
LORETHA HAYDEN
WRITE-IN

FOR ALDERMAN – WARD 3
RYAN MYERS
WRITE-IN

FOR ALDERMAN – WARD 4
WILLIAM A. “BILL” VAN BUSKIRK
WRITE-IN

FOR ALDERMAN – WARD 5
BONNAYE MIMS
WRITE-IN

FOR MUNICIPAL JUDGE
TRACI FANN
WRITE-IN

FOR CITY COLLECTOR
LISA EMERSON
WRITE-IN

SAMPLE BALLOT
CONSOLIDATED SCHOOL DISTRICT NO. 2

FOR DIRECTOR (Vote For Two)

AMY TITTLE
NATALIE JOHNSON-BERRY
ALONZO BURTON
DONNA PEYTON
WRITE-IN
WRITE-IN

Raytown Alderman Candidate Forum – March 23, 2021

Candidates participating in this Forum Co sponsored by League of Women Voters and Raytown Chamber of Commerce and Tourism: Jayne Loulos, Ward 1 Ian Scott, Ward 1 Loretha Hayden, Ward 2 Tony Jacob, Ward 2 Ryan Myers, Ward 3 William “Bill” VanBuskirk, Ward 4 Bonnaye Mims, Ward 5
 
 
 
 
 

Alonzo Burton for School Board video

Paid for by Burton4Board, Teresa Burton, Treasurer

One Injured, One Dead in Overnight Shooting

 

On 02-05-2021, at approximately 1:56 a.m., Raytown police officers responded to Sarah Colman-Livengood Park, 5901 Lane, regarding shots fired. Officers arrived at that location and found a male and a female in avehicle, who had been shot. A teenaged female was transported to an area hospital with apparent non-life-threatening injuries. The male, age unknown, was deceased. There were no suspects at the scene and the the investigation was ongoing.

Anyone with information about the shooting is asked to call the Tips Hotline at 816-474-TIPS (8477.)

 

 

Raytown artist turns Chiefs superstars into comic book superheroes

This Raytown artist turns Chiefs superstars into comic book superheroes

One Injured, One Dead in Overnight Shooting

 

On 01-13-2021, at approximately 1:58 a.m., Raytown police officers were called to a “nature unknown” at a residence in the 8300 block of Hedges Ave. Officers arrived at that location and gunshots were heard coming from inside of the residence. An adult male was seen walking around inside the residence, but he refused officers’ commands to come out, initiating a standoff. SWAT officers were called to the scene.

About an hour later, the male came to the door. The male had been shot. Officers checked the residence and discovered another adult male, who had injuries, and was deceased. The first male was transported to an area hospital and was in critical condition.The investigation was ongoing.

Anyone with information about the shooting is asked to call the Tips Hotline at 816-474-TIPS (8477.)

From the Raytown Police Dept.

Findings in the audit of the City of Raytown

CITIZENS SUMMARY 

Restricted Monies 

Disbursements 

Budgets and Receipting  Procedures 

Sunshine Law 

Police Department Volunteers

The city can improve its monitoring of the use of restricted city sales taxes  used to subsidize the Tax Increment Financing (TIF) debt associated with  the Raytown Live Redevelopment Area (Raytown Live). The city has not  determined and does not monitor the restricted portions of the TIF debt to  ensure the non-captured (city) portion of the restricted sales taxes  contributed by the city to pay the TIF debt are used only for allowable  purposes. The city is not monitoring the outstanding TIF debt related to  transportation or stormwater projects and has not determined the  outstanding portion of TIF debt related to capital improvements projects.  The city provides accounting services for the Highway 350 Transportation  Development District (TDD), but since the city is not tracking the balance  of the TIF debt, the TDD sales tax could be improperly collected after the  transportation portion of the TIF debt is retired. The contributions of the city  portion of the Economic Activity Taxes collected within the Raytown Live  TIF is not reported transparently in the budgets or financial statements. The  city is not properly tracking the expenditures and balance of state motor vehicle related monies. The city has no documentation to justify the  allocation of salaries and fringe benefits of several city employees.  

The city did not solicit bids or proposals for some goods and services  purchased in accordance with the city’s purchasing policy. The city made  severance payments totaling $70,161 to 9 Police department employees  during the year ended October 31, 2017, that were not necessary and  reasonable. One of these agreements was not formally approved by the  Board of Aldermen (Board). The city rehired 4 of these employees by  December 1, 2017. The city did not have affidavits from some vendors  certifying no conflicts of interest existed with any city officer or employee,  appointed or elected, as required by the city purchasing policy. 

City budgets do not include all statutorily required elements. City personnel  do not account for the numerical sequence of receipt slips issued from the  financial accounting system. 

The city did not ensure compliance with the Sunshine Law for closed  meetings held by the Board, the Park Board, or the BMX Advisory Board. The Board and Park Board did not maintain meeting minutes for all closed  meetings, and discussed some items in closed meeting that were either not  allowed by state law or were not cited as the reason for closing the meeting.  The Board cited the same reasons for closing many of its meeting, but either  did not discuss, or did not adequately document discussion related to some  topics cited as the reason for closing the meeting. Park Board minutes did  not contain all information required by state law. The BMX Advisory Board  does not hold Board meetings consistently.  

The city does not have a contract or formal agreement with a local not-for profit (NFP) organization that documents the duties and responsibilities of  each party. The Police department did not have a method to ensure all  expenses eligible for reimbursement from the NFP were requested as  applicable. The department did not follow, or did not properly document,  

Parks and Recreation  Department Policies and  Procedures 

the screening procedures for citizens applying to work in the department’s  Volunteer Corp as established by department policy. 

Receipt slips are not issued for any payments received or amounts  transmitted to the Parks and Recreation department and the composition  (cash, check, or credit card) of payments received is not compared to the  composition of deposits by an independent person. The Park Board has not  adopted specific policies and procedures to provide oversight of the BMX  Advisory Board. 

In the areas audited, the overall performance of this entity was Fair.*

*The rating(s) cover only audited areas and do not reflect an opinion on the overall operation of the entity. Within that context, the rating  scale indicates the following: 

Excellent: The audit results indicate this entity is very well managed. The report contains no findings. In addition, if applicable, prior  recommendations have been implemented. 

Good: The audit results indicate this entity is well managed. The report contains few findings, and the entity has indicated most or all  recommendations have already been, or will be, implemented. In addition, if applicable, many of the prior recommendations  have been implemented. 

Fair: The audit results indicate this entity needs to improve operations in several areas. The report contains several findings, or one or  more findings that require management’s immediate attention, and/or the entity has indicated several recommendations will not be implemented. In addition, if applicable, several prior recommendations have not been implemented. 

Poor: The audit results indicate this entity needs to significantly improve operations. The report contains numerous findings that require management’s immediate attention, and/or the entity has indicated most recommendations will not be implemented. In  addition, if applicable, most prior recommendations have not been implemented. 

 

The link below is the full document in PDF format.

CLICK HERE TO GET PDF OF AUDIT

Raytown police cancel Silver Alert for 80-year-old man

https://www.kmbc.com/article/raytown-police-issue-silver-alert-for-80-year-old-man/34853779

Important COVID NEWS from MARC

Help slow the spread of COVID-19 and preserve hospital capacity

Public health departments have been working with our metro’s hospital systems in strong collaboration since COVID-19 entered our region. We have appreciated this partnership which is imperative for a safe and health community.

Today we heard several concerns voiced from our region’s hospital Chief Medical Officers. Due to COVID-19, our hospitals are at a critical juncture between concern and crisis.

“Bed capacity is a significant concern. Hospitals reported becoming aware recently that the hospital data available regarding bed capacity and utilization is not aligning with what hospital staff see in their wards and units every day. We were pleased to hear they will be working hard to remedy that and provide more usable, real world data about the availability of staffed beds that can be used for COVID-19 patients to help health departments and elected officials make recommendations and decisions to protect our community” states Dr. Sanmi Areola, director of the Johnson County Department of Health and Environment.

Hospital infection control is at an all-time high and hospitals are protecting staff and patients from COVID-19 spread in their facilities. However, the growing level of community spread is also impacting bed capacity by reducing staff availability due to staff being exposed to COVID-19 out in the community.

Hospitals are growing increasingly concerned about having to delay procedures, treatments and surgeries for patients who truly need them. Delayed or deferred care can create bad outcomes for patients, their families and the community.

The public plays an important role in slowing down our region’s current widespread transmission of COVID-19. It is more imperative than ever to:

  • Wear masks.
  • Physically distance (6 feet or more) from others you don’t live with.
  • Stay home if you are sick.
  • Avoid crowded indoor gatherings at homes, restaurants, bars and other event venues where transmission is more likely to occur.
  • Practice good hand hygiene.

Taking this information seriously is something each member of our community can do to help slow the spread of COVID-19 and ease the pressure on our region’s hospitals.

###

For the complete article, click below

http://www.marc2.org/htmlemail/PublicHealth/COVID-19_hospital-capacity.htm

Polling locations for Nov. 2020 election in Raytown

Prec. 

1,2,3,4 Raytown Central Middle School 10601 E 59th St

5,7       Our Lady of Lourdes Church 7045 Blue Ridge Blvd

6,10      Raytown City Hall 10000 E 59th St

8          Connection Point at First Baptist Church 10500 E State Route 350

9 **      Laurel Hills Elementary 5401 Lane Ave

11,15    Raytown South Middle School 8401 E 83rd St

12,13,14 *** Raytown South High School 8211 Sterling Ave

16         Southwood Church of the Nazarene 8201 Raytown Rd

17 ***    Raytown South High School 8211 Sterling Ave

18         Southwood United Church of Christ 7904 Raytown Rd

19 ***   Raytown South High School 8211 Sterling Ave

20 **     Laurel Hills Elementary 5401 Lane Ave

 

Below is a precinct map of Raytown for those who do not know which precinct they live in. It also should be on the card you got from the election board. 

Fire Saturday night at Temple Heights Manor

A fire broke out at about 9 pm Saturday in a sixth floor apartment of Temple Heights Manor, killing one person and sending many others to the hospital for smoke inhalation. 

For more on this Click HERE to read the KSHB 41 coverage. 

 

 

AMENDEMENT 3 LEGISLATIVE REDISTRICTING

AMENDEMENT 3 LEGISLATIVE REDISTRICTING

OVERVIEW

Amendment 3 seeks to repeal the Clean Missouri redistricting reforms Missouri voters overwhelmingly ratified in 2018 that give the job of drawing new state legislative districts to a non-partisan state demographer and establish constitutional criteria that require districts to be drawn in a way that maximizes partisan fairness and competitiveness while minimizing the number of “safe” districts dominated by one political party.

Under Amendment 3, redistricting commissions consisting of members handpicked by the state Democratic and Republican parties would draw new districts. Creating districts that are competitive and fair would no longer be a top priority.

In addition, Amendment 3 would exclude children and other residents who aren’t eligible to vote from being counted for redistricting purposes, deviating from the practice of counting all residents that Missouri and every other state has followed since the nation’s founding. The change could result in some lawmakers representing substantially more actual residents than others, thus granting some communities disproportionate representation.

Republicans strongly opposed Clean Missouri and immediately after its ratification pledged to make repealing it a top priority. The Republican-controlled General Assembly placed Amendment 3 on the Nov. 3 statewide ballot with the passage of Senate Joint Resolution 38. The Senate approved it on Feb. 10 by a vote of 22-9 with a lone Republican joining unanimous Democrats in opposition. The House of Representatives voted 98-56 to grant SJR 38 final passage on May 13. Fourteen House Republicans opposed the measure while just one Democrat supported it.

Amendment 3 includes other provisions unrelated to redistricting that are included as enticements to win voter support. One would replace an existing $5 cap on the value of lobbyist gifts to lawmakers with a flat ban in most instances. The other would lower the limit on campaign contributions to Senate candidates from $2,500 per election to $2,400, while leaving contributions to House candidates unchanged at $2,000.

The coalition that championed ratification of the Clean Missouri amendment two years ago has mobilized to oppose Amendment 3, which opponents dub Dirty Missouri. As of Sept. 28, there had been no visible campaign in support of Amendment 3. While the Missouri Farm Bureau on Sept. 23 established a campaign committee to advocate for the measure’s passage, given the late stage of the election cycle, it’s unclear how aggressively Farm Bureau will engage and how much of an impact its efforts will have.

BALLOT LANGUAGE BATTLE

Although the Secretary of State’s Office usually prepares the ballot language for measures placed before voters, the General Assembly exercised its statutory prerogative to write its own ballot question as part of SJR 38. However, the Clean Missouri group immediately sued, alleging the legislature’s language was deceptive and intentionally designed to mislead voters.

The final ballot language prepared by the Western District panel, followed by the official fiscal estimate prepared by the State Auditor’s Office, which was neither challenged nor judicially altered, says:

Shall the Missouri Constitution be amended to:

• Ban gifts from paid lobbyists to legislators and their employees;

• Reduce legislative campaign contribution limits;

• Change the redistricting process voters approved in 2018 by: (i) transferring responsibility for drawing state legislative districts from the Nonpartisan State Demographer to Governor-appointed bipartisan commissions; (ii) modifying and reordering the redistricting criteria.

State governmental entities expect no cost or savings. Individual local governmental entities expect significant decreased revenues of a total unknown amount.

Because Attorney General Eric Schmitt, a Republican, declined to appeal to the Missouri Supreme Court on behalf of the state, the Western District’s rewrite is final and is what voters will see on the Nov. 3 ballot.

 

CLEAN MISSOURI REVIEWED

From 1966 until 2018, partisan commissions consisting of equal numbers of Democrats and Republicans got first crack at drawing new state legislative districts following each decennial U.S. Census. There were two separate commissions, one charged with drawing the 34 Senate districts with the other dedicated to creating the 163 House districts.

Although the governor appointed the commissions, he was required to pick members from lists of party loyalists submitted by the state Democratic and Republican parties, so his role in shaping the commissions’ membership was limited. If the partisan commissions failed to agree, which happened more often than not, the task passed to a special commission of six Missouri Court of Appeals judges chosen for the job by the state Supreme Court.

Clean Missouri, which voters ratified with 63 percent support in November 2018, created a new position of non-partisan state demographer and put that person in charge of legislative redistricting. The demographer is chosen by the top Democratic and Republican Senate leaders from among the applicants for the post. If the two leaders fail to agree, they can each eliminate one-third of the applicants from consideration, and the demographer is chosen by random lottery from among the remaining applicants.

While the partisan commissions still exist under Clean Missouri, their role is limited to reviewing the maps produced by the demographer. A commission can amend the demographer’s plan, but only if at least 70 percent of its members agree. If no changes are approved, then the redistricting maps are finalized as presented.

Under Clean Missouri, the top criteria for drawing districts is “partisan fairness,” which is meant to ensure that the number of legislative seats a given party holds is roughly equal to that party’s statewide popular vote total. The secondary goal is to enhance competitiveness to maximize the number of districts that are winnable by either party and minimize the number of districts where one party is dominant.

As has always been the case with previous redistricting systems, Clean Missouri requires districts to be roughly equal in population and consist of contiguous territory. While compact districts are preferred, compactness is subservient to other criteria.

If not replaced by Amendment 3, the Clean Missouri system is scheduled to be used for the first time next year when the process for creating new districts based on the results of the 2020 U.S. Census gets underway. The revised legislative districts will be used starting with the 2022 elections and ending with the 2030 elections.

PROPOSED AMENDMENT 3 CHANGES

Amendment 3 would eliminate the position of state demographer and restore the authority of the partisan House and Senate redistricting commissions. As with the pre-Clean Missouri system, if one or both of those commissions fail to agree on new district maps, then the redistricting task would be kicked to a six-member judicial commission chosen by the Supreme Court.

While the partisan fairness and competitiveness criteria would remain under Amendment 3, they would be the least important considerations when drawing new maps, with the focus instead on compactness and trying to keep districts entirely within municipal and county boundaries. Amendment 3 would allow for a deviation of up to 15 percent from the ideal when determining partisan fairness, which critics say could substantially exacerbate partisan gerrymandering.

Amendment 3 would delete an existing constitutional requirement that legislative districts be based of the total population of the state as determined by the last U.S. Census and replace it with amorphous language saying “districts shall be drawn on the basis of one person, one vote.” During legislative debate over SJR 38, the measure’s supporters said this change is intended to ensure that only eligible voters are counted when crafting new legislative districts, even though those excluded would still be entitled to representation. Such a limitation would prevent children, non-citizens and other Missouri residents who for whatever reason aren’t eligible to vote from being counted, thus arbitrarily skewing the populations of legislative districts.

In the event either the partisan or judicial redistricting commissions produced maps that violated constitutional requirements, Amendment 3 would erect new barriers to filing legal challenges by limiting who can bring such a challenge and severely restricting the ability of courts to declare redistricting plans unconstitutional. To have legal standing to challenge a redistricting plan, a voter would have to prove they would be individually harmed by it – a high legal bar – instead of merely showing a plan violated constitutional requirements.

During the last redistricting cycle in 2012, the state Supreme Court ruled a Senate map crafted by the appellate commission repeatedly violated a constitutional prohibition against splitting counties unless a county has enough population for more than one district. After tossing out the Senate map, the high court ordered the redistricting process to start over. Such a lawsuit might not be successful under Amendment 3’s restrictions on litigation.

ARGUMENTS IN SUPPORT OF AMENDEMNT 3

Missouri voters didn’t understand what they were voting on in 2018 and deserve a chance to reconsider before the next redistricting cycle in 2021.

The 2018 redistricting system will result in sprawling districts that connect areas with little in common. Amendment 3 will prevent that from happening.

Legislative districts should be drawn to represent specific local communities and the people who live in them, not carve up communities to achieve idealistic goals.

Clean Missouri was designed to ensure that more Democrats are elected to the legislature, giving them through the redistricting process what they have been unable to achieve at the ballot box.

There are no safeguards to ensure the so-called “non-partisan” state demographer doesn’t draw new districts that favor one party over the other.

Redistricting is too important a task to entrust to the judgment of a single, unelected person.

For more than five decades, Missouri legislative districts were drawn either by bipartisan commissions or appellate judges, and the system worked well. Amendment 3 would restore that system.

Requiring districts to be drawn based on “one-person, one vote” will provide better representation by focusing them on the number of eligible voters instead of total population.

ARGUMENTS IN OPPOSITION TO AMENDMENT 3

Missouri voters decisively said just two years ago that they wanted to reform the state’s legislative redistricting process to eliminate partisan gerrymandering. Their decision should be respected.

For Republicans to attempt to repeal the new redistricting system before it has even had a chance to be implemented is unconscionable and shows they fear that fair and competitive legislative districts will threaten their hold on power.

Clean Missouri constitutionally requires a non-partisan state demographer to draw districts that are competitive and fair without regard to partisan interests. Amendment 3 will return to a system that is controlled by the two major political parties for the benefit of the parties.
Republicans are willing to resort to deception in an attempt to trick voters into ratifying Amendment 3 by writing ballot language that completely failed to mention its primary purpose of repealing the Clean Missouri redistricting reforms.

Two separate courts declared the Republican legislature’s ballot language to be false and misleading and ordered it to be rewritten.

Provisions highlighted in the ballot language that reduce the value lobbyist gift to lawmakers from $5 to $0 and slightly reduce the maximum campaign contribution to Senate candidates are included in Amendment 3 solely to distract voters from its changes to the redistricting process.

Amendment 3 will exclude children and others who aren’t eligible to vote from being counted for redistricting purposes, denying fair representation to all Missourians who reside in undercounted districts.

Instead of requiring legislative districts to be fair and competitive, Amendment 3 would allow for partisan germanders that are even worse than what Missouri had under its old redistricting system.

Raytown Democratic Association Primary endorsements

Victim’s family anxious after Raytown murder suspect released on house arrest

Tynan Mullen is charged with first-degree murder  of 19 year old Riley McCrackin. Mullen and three others killed  McCrackin behind the pool hall in Downtown Raytown.

Click HERE for more information on this from Fox4.