On November 7th, voters in Jackson County, Missouri will be asked to vote on two questions. Each has major implications for union members in the region and members of the working- class. We have provided the wording of each question, the endorsement, and context. Please be sure to do your civic duty and vote on Nov. 7th, 2023! Your vote is wildly important in low-turnout off-cycle elections.
Jackson County, Missouri Question #1
Shall Jackson County impose a local use tax for the purpose of financing road and bridge construction projects within the county, including projects within the corporate limits of cities within the county, for financial assistance
to homeless persons and persons at risk of becoming homeless, and for renovations and repairs to the Jackson County Courthouse in downtown Kansas City and the eastern Jackson County Courthouse and historic Truman Courthouse in Independence, at thesame rate as the total local sales tax rate, provided that, if the local sales tax rate is reduced or raised by voter approval, the local use tax rate shall also be reduced or raised by the same action?
VOTE YES ON QUESTION #1
Kansas City, Missouri Question #1
Shall the City of Kansas City continue a city sales tax for the purpose of developing, operating, maintaining,
equipping and improving a public bus transit system for Kansas City, pursuant to contract with the Kansas City Area Transportation Authority, as authorized by Section 94.605 of the Revised Statutes of Missouri at a rate of 3/8% for a period of 10 years?
VOTE YES ON QUESTION #1
The two questions have been endorsed by both the Greater Kansas City AFL-CIO and the Greater Kansas City Building & Construction Trades Council. These questions were endorsed by your union leaders for a common reason: both questions will lead to better quality of life for the residents within each area and will perserve or create more union jobs.
Voting “YES” on Kansas City’s question will continue an existing 3/8% sales tax and perserve funding for the operation of Kansas City’s public bus system, keeping members of Amalgamated Transit Union Local 1287 working and continuing to providepublic transit to citizens and visitors to our great city.
Voting “YES” on the Jackson County question will result in a significant amount of work for union members in the building and construction trades. Many of the buildings that Jackson County own need significant amounts of work, not to mention the work that is needed on roads and bridges in the county.