October 04, 2004
Everything's up for vote in Kansas
The Kansas City region continues to debate the "Bistate 2" sales tax hike that, if approved by voters next month, would funnel about $360 million to the Royals and Chiefs to fund stadium renovations. Meanwhile, over in Wichita, a 1% sales-tax hike to fund a new $184.5 million arena looks to be headed to defeat, with polls showing almost 2-1 opposition among local voters, despite a high-powered "education" campaign by Wichita government and business leaders.
Wichita Mayor Carlos Mayans says if the arena bill is defeated, he'll move ahead with plans for a $55 million renovation of the existing Kansas Coliseum, funded by property tax hikes, warning: "I think the public has to realize that if they vote ëNo' on the arena downtown, they are voting 'Yes' to spend $55 million at the Kansas Coliseum, and that is also tax dollars." Looks like we have another mayor who's still unclear on the concept.
