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McCaskill Will Wait For Pitch Before Deciding KCI Swing

Dan Verbeck
/
KCUR

Senator Claire McCaskill feels it’s too early to say how she would lean toward federal funding of renovations at KCI Airport.

The Missouri  Democrat  says she understands the single-terminal “A” concept stirs passions.

The Senator was waiting amid the noise of Gates Barbecue in Independence  when she talked with a pair of reporters, saying it’s too soon for serious conversation  about the airport since there isn’t even a proposal for change.

The Mayor has  appointed an ad hoc commission to recommend changes to the  airport.

The concept has drawn support or fire from Kansas City and around the country by travelers and is a Northland hot-button issue.  McCaskill put it this way, “it depends on whether federal resources are asked for.  Typically, in airport projects the federal government does have a role.”

McCaskill added,”we have funded a lot of airport improvements around the country. I think right now it is premature to talk about it.”

The Senator wonders how debate would go, if airport funding arose in the current partisan hostility.

She said   the Senate Majority couldn’t even get Republican votes to open debate on public transportation this session.

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