http://stream.publicbroadcasting.net/production/mp3/kcur/local-kcur-910137.mp3
Kansas City, MO – The head of the panel redrawing proposed changes in Jackson County, Missouri's charter sees new opportunities to fight discrimination at the courthouse.
Voters will decide worthiness of charter changes when they cast ballots in the August election. Changes range from ending no bid contracts, to eliminating automatic pay hikes for elected officials to limiting the county executive's power over the sheriff. And there is hiring staff to investigate discrimination and ethics breaches.
Former Kansas City Mayor Kay Barnes led the Charter Review Commission which spent a lot of time on the latter.
"The language that is there not only strengthens it, but also brings it more to the attention of the citizenry," Barnes said. "To know that that opportunity is there. Whereas I'm not so that, over the years, they've been aware that they have even had that resource."
There's been no visible or organized opposition to county charter changes. Barnes says she would be surprised if any did. In her words, "How can you argue about good government?"