taxes

Kansas City's plan to pay back the $600 million it will borrow for or spend on the Royals stadium at Crown Center relies on tax revenue that wouldn’t exist without the new ballpark.

On Nov. 3, voters in Kansas and Missouri will decide multiple consequential ballot issues — including on abortion access and gerrymandering. They'll also vote for U.S. Senate, U.S. House, and other offices from the governor down to the local level.

The public agency voted to issue nearly $1.5 billion in bonds and tax breaks to Gillon Property Group early this week. Jon Stephens, the president and CEO of Port KC, says the deal is critical to the revitalization of the historic Plaza neighborhood.

A city council committee pushed back discussions on bonds and lease agreements for a downtown Royals stadium. Critics say that still isn’t enough time to learn about the financing deal, and have turned in thousands of signatures to force a public vote.

Despite the backing of Gov. Mike Kehoe, proposed constitutional amendments that would have made it more difficult for citizens to change the constitution and start the process of eliminating the state income tax were overwhelmingly rejected by Missouri voters.

The questions covered water and sewer infrastructure, affordable housing, aging civic buildings and a sales tax for development in the urban core.

The move brings Jackson County in line with other charter counties, and affirms a vote at the county level last year in which voters overwhelmingly supported the county switching the position from appointed to elected.

The Independence School District has agreed to drop a lawsuit against Jackson County over its plan to give homeowners relief after skyrocketing property tax assessments. The school district still anticipates it will take a financial hit.

Gov. Mike Kehoe has been pushing to phase-out the state's income tax, and now voters will get to decide in Tuesday's election. But Amendment 5 leaves many unknowns: How will the legislature will expand sales and use taxes? Will the change actually spur more business?

The settlement would include more than 200,000 people who paid property taxes in 2023 and 2024, and would return all the money Jackson County charged in assessments that was over the state-mandated 15% cap.

A statement signed by four Missouri diocese leaders doesn't specifically tell voters to reject the August ballot issue, which would allow expanded sales taxes and end the state income tax. But the bishops say it will disproportionately harm people with lower incomes.

Missouri Auditor Scott Fitzpatrick said the performance audit is prompted by complaints about the Department of Revenue's customer service.