Mayor Sly James On The State Of KCMO, And Proposed East Side Development Tax

By Steve Kraske,

Published March 29, 2017 at 4:23 PM CDT

For Mayor Sly James, this has been a particularly busy time. On Tuesday evening, he gave his State of the City Address, which we discuss today, along with a bond proposal James says will trim, but not eliminate, a backlog of public works projects in Kansas City, Missouri. Also on the April 4 ballot is a one-eighth-cent sales tax increase to be used for development on the East Side. Gwendolyn Grant of the Urban League of Greater Kansas City tells us what it could mean for the area's residents.

Kansas City, Missouri, will hold a special election on Tuesday, April 4. The registration deadline was March 8. For more information about what will be on the ballot, visit KCUR.org or the Board of Election's website.

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Steve Kraske

When I host Up To Date each morning at 9, my aim is to engage the community in conversations about the Kansas City area’s challenges, hopes and opportunities. I try to ask the questions that listeners want answered about the day’s most pressing issues and provide a place for residents to engage directly with newsmakers. Reach me at steve@kcur.org or on Twitter @stevekraske.

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Luke X. Martin

As culture editor, I oversee KCUR’s coverage of race, culture, the arts, food and sports. I work with reporters to make sure our stories reflect the fullest view of the place we call home, so listeners and readers feel primed to explore the places, projects and people who make up a vibrant Kansas City. Email me at luke@kcur.org.

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