Josh Merchant
Josh Merchant is The Kansas City Beacon's local government reporter. After graduating from Seattle University, Josh attended Columbia Journalism School, earning a master’s degree in investigative journalism. Originally from Colorado, Josh has contributed reporting to The Seattle Spectator, The South Seattle Emerald and THE CITY in New York. They're a former Beacon intern.
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Supporters of state control say the system was established to limit political influence on the police department in the 1930s. But the 150-year history of state control dates back to the Civil War.
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The Kansas City Board of Police Commissioners oversees a $268 million budget and regularly discusses important matters in closed session.
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Under Kansas City's Tenants Bill of Rights, rental housing must have functional heating, sewage, hot water, plumbing and electrical fixtures, and any provided appliances must remain functional. The Healthy Homes program can compel a landlord to resolve any violations.
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Critics say that the streamlined tax incentive process under Ordinance 220701 would prevent Kansas City residents from providing input on developments that could affect their children’s schools or their own cost of housing.
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If approved, Question 2 on the citywide ballot would authorize Kansas City to issue a $50 million bond, which could help fund more than 2,000 new affordable housing units. But the measure does not include continual funding for the city's housing trust fund.
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If she defeats incumbent Frank White, Theresa Cass Galvin would be the fourth county executive in eight years and the first Republican to win in decades.
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Voters will have a choice for legislative representatives in Jackson County's 1st District, which includes western and eastern swaths of Kansas City, and the 6th District, which includes Lee’s Summit.
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The primary elections in Jackson County have already unseated an incumbent, and residents will see at least six fresh legislators after the general election. Find out more about the candidates for the three at-large districts.
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The Johnson County Commission chairperson is the only member of the commission elected by the entire county. They will be responsible for setting the agenda for the next four years.
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Sheriff Darryl Forté has pointed to a nonexistent provision in Missouri's new voting law to limit voter registration efforts inside the Jackson County jail, where hundreds of detainees are potentially eligible voters. Missouri's voter registration deadline is Oct. 12.