Savannah Hawley-Bates
Missouri Government and Politics ReporterAs KCUR's local government reporter, I’ll hold our leaders accountable and show how their decisions about development, transit and the economy shape your life. I meet with people at city council meetings, on the picket lines and in their community to break down how power and inequities change our community. Email me at savannahhawley@kcur.org.
-
A judge sided with the city of Independence and denied residents’ efforts to put massive tax breaks for an AI data center up to voters. -
Kansas City has relied on the 1% earnings tax to pay for much of its budget since it was enacted in 1963. As voters begin to head to the polls, local leaders want them to renew it again. -
Independence, Missouri, residents will vote on April 7 for their next mayor and to fill two at-large city council seats. Recent debates over tax incentives for a massive data center could factor into the election. -
The city of Independence blocked residents from starting a petition that could force a citywide vote after city council approved more than $6 billion in tax breaks. Now opponents are suing to force the process to move forward. -
Kansas City's proposed budget for next year doesn't include any increase in funding for its transit agency. Without more money, the agency warned it may need to cut nearly a third of its routes. -
En junio, la Agencia de Transporte del Área de Kansas City (KCATA) comenzará a cobrar nuevamente por viajar en autobús. Prometió que los pasajes gratuitos continuarán para algunas personas, pero aún no ha publicado un plan para ellas. Los proveedores sin fines de lucro y los pasajeros están preocupados de que, mientras tanto, algunas personas se queden sin cobertura. -
The Kansas City Area Transportation Authority will start charging people to ride the bus again in June. It promised free fares would continue for some people, but it hasn’t released a plan for them. Nonprofit providers and riders are concerned that people will fall through the cracks in the meantime.
-
The city approved massive tax breaks because they say the money and protections city will receive make it a good deal. Opponents want to put the incentives on the ballot so residents can weigh in. -
Constant fights over bus funding have meant service cuts and long wait times for riders. Now, dozens of riders are launching a union, and they hope others join to make service better for everyone. -
The hyperscale data center would go in eastern Independence, near schools and an ammunition plant. A growing number of residents are trying to stop city officials from providing any tax incentives to the company to keep it from being built.
