By Dan Verbeck
Raytown, Mo. – Some two dozen government leaders from Jackson, Clay and Platte Counties will not be hurried toward a November sales-tax vote to finance new mass transit. Kansas City Mayor Mark Funkhouser enlisted counterparts Kathleen Rose of Riverside and David Bower of Raytown to host a three hour assessment-marathon analysis. Leaders emerged nearly equally divided for and against a November referendum on a half cent sales tax. It would finance the billion-dollar-plus project that would include rail, bus and streetcars linking the Missouri side region. Proponents say gas prices make a Fall vote attractive. Opponents worry the issue would be killed by anti-tax voters interested only in the presidential race. A transit steering panel will reassess the project June 20th.