Holsman: Voter's Guide

Dear Friends

I can only imagine that you are ready to have this election over, but as messy as this campaign season has become, it's still the greatest - and most peaceful - electoral process in the world.  The time remaining until Super Tuesday can be counted in hours.  There are many issues on the ballot besides candiates.

As a service to my friends and constituents, I would like to provide this voter guide.  As always, all comments, questions, and suggestions are welcome. Thanks for the opportunity to serve you.

Jason Holsman

Women Veterans Stand-Down

At left: Rep. Holsman speaking at the Women Veterans Stand-Down

On October 23, the U.S. Department of Labor Women's Bureau hosted the first-of-it's-kind Women Veterans Stand-Down at Penn Valley Community College.  The Stand-Down was a mini-retreat for female veterans, intended to address issues that specifically impact the women veteran's community.  Two of the foremost problems impacting veterans - homelessness & gaining access to veterans benefits - were discussed at the event.

Congressman Emmanuel Cleaver, State Representative Jason Holsman and KC Councilman John Sharp, along with representatives from area organizations such as Connections to Success, the V.A., the Association of Female Lawyers, and the Missouri and Kansas Workforce Development Center were on hands to provide assistance and guidance as needed.


At right: Rep. Holsman & Congressman Cleaver with the organizing committee of the event

Holsman Speaks To Local Cub Scouts

Representative Jason Holsman recently addressed a local group of Cub Scouts at the Mid-Continent Library on Red Bridge Road.

Over the course of a thirty minute discussion with the group of scouts, Holsman talked about civic engagement and how to treat one another with kindness and charity.

In a time where children watch negative political advetizements on TV and the internet, Rep. Holsman stressed the value of solving conflict in a peaceful and civil manner.

Grandview Teacher Wins Award

At right: Rep. Holsman watches as a $25,000 check is presented to Anika Williams

Anika Williams, a fifth grade teacher at Grandview's Conn-West Elementary, was awarded a prestigious Milken Educator Award.  The award, given by the Milken Family Foundation and known as the "Oscar of Teaching" includes a $25,000 cash prize.  Williams received the award at a surprise ceremony on October 14th.  The presentation was made by Dr. Jane Foley of the Milken Family Foundation and was attended by Missouri Commissioner of Education Dr. Chris Nicastro, Congressman Emmanuel Cleaver, State Representative Jason Holsman, Grandview interim Mayor Steve Dennis, Superintendent Dr. Ralph Teran, and members of the Board of Education.

"Anika exhibits exemplary instructional skills," said Mary Moore, principal at Conn-West. "She motivates students to want to succeed."

Proposition A

Proposition A, if approved by Missouri voters on Nov. 2, would trigger local elections in April 2011 in Kansas City and St. Louis at which voters would determine whether to retain the local 1 percent earnings tax each city levies on those who live or work in those cities. If local voters endorse keeping their city's earnings tax, it would come up for renewal every five years. If local voters reject retaining the earnings tax, either in 2011 or at a subsequent renewal election, the tax would be phased out over 10 years and could never be re-imposed.

While overturning the E-Tax could save taxpayers money in the short run, the net effects would be devastating to the local economies of both Kansas City & St. Louis.  40% of Kansas City's general fund comes from the E-Tax.  Removing this funding stream would result in drastic cuts in services to Kansas City residents.  The city would be forced to lay off hundreds of firefighters, police officers, paramedics, administrative personnel, and public works employees.  Unemployment numbers would spike, competition for jobs would increase, and crime skyrocket.

MY SUGGESTION:
VOTE NO - Municipal taxing authority should reside with local control. If farmers in rural Missouri decide how Kansas City raises revenue then it will open the door for Kansas City residents to meddle in rural issues such as contained animal feeding operations. If Prop A passes then Kansas City's largest dedicated source of revenue will be uncertain every five years significantly harming our ability to bond projects. If the citizens of Kansas City or Saint Louis want to change their taxing structure they have the ability to do so without out of town special interests.

Proposition B

Proposition B, also known as the Puppy Mill Cruelty Prevention Act, would establish new regulations on large-scale dog breeding operations in Missouri and create criminal penalties for violations. It would require breeders to provide dogs under their care with adequate food, water, shelter, veterinary care, exercise and rest periods between breeding cycles and restrict operations to no more than 50 breeding dogs.

Proposition B is being supported by various animal welfare groups and is being opposed by Missouri's Dog Breeding Industry.

MY SUGGESTION:
VOTE YES - Missouri Department of Agriculture's "Operation Bark Alert" has shut down 340 illegal puppy mills in 2009. Prop B will make it easier to prosecute illegal breeders engaged in animal cruelty.

KC Question 1

(Police/Public Safety)

Shall the City of Kansas City continue to impose a sales tax authorized by Section 94.577 of the Revised Statutes of Missouri for a period of 15 years at a rate of 1/4% to be used for funding expenditures for police, emergency medical services and emergency management associated with promoting, providing, and administering public safety within Kansas City, including but not limited to acquiring, constructing, equipping, furnishing, and/or remodeling facilities and for purchasing and preparing motor vehicles and technology and for other capital improvements and capital equipment needs, to improve response to all hazards, including biological/chemical terrorism or events, which may include the retirement of debt under previously authorized bonded indebtedness or to repay bonds not yet issued?

MY SUGGESTION:
VOTE YES - Public safety is vital to city progress.

KC Question 3

(Redistricting)

Shall the Charter of Kansas City be amended to only require redistricting of Council districts every 10 years in the year of the release of official census figures?

MY SUGGESTION:
VOTE YES - The redistricting process should use the most accurate data available to determine boundaries.

Nov. 2 Ballot Issues

In addition to the candidates on the November Ballot, we will also be able to vote on three constitutional amendments, two statewide propositions, and two local questions.

In this newsletter, I've included a guide to the ballot issues that will face voters in South Kansas City.

Amendment 1

Amendment 1 would change the Missouri Constitution to require charter counties to have elected, rather than appointed, county assessors. The General Assembly placed Amendment 1 on the Nov. 2 ballot.

The proposed amendment contains language that attempts to exempt Jackson County from the requirement and allow it to retain its appointed assessor, however the purported exemption for Jackson County might no longer be valid, depending on the results of the 2010 U.S. Census. The original intent of Amendment 1 - forcing St. Louis County to switch to an elected assessor - has already been achieved through local action by St. Louis County voters. But if ratified by Missouri voters, Amendment 1 could instead force Jackson County to follow suit, even though lawmakers had intended to exempt the county from the requirement.

MY SUGGESTION:
Vote NO - I am not opposed to electing a Jackson County Assessor, but we if we are to make the change, we should do it deliberately.

Amendment 2

Amendment 2, if ratified by Missouri voters on Nov. 2, would amend the Missouri Constitution to exempt any Missouri resident who is a former prisoner of war and who has a "total service-connected disability" from paying property taxes on his or her home.

The fiscal impact to Missouri will be very low as there are a very low number of total service-connected disabled former P.O.W.'s in the state. However, this is an appropriate way for us to say 'Thank You' to the men and women who faced one of the most unpleasant challenges to help ensure our freedom.

MY SUGGESTION:
VOTE YES - It's the right thing to do.

Amendment 3

Amendment 3, if ratified by Missouri voters, would change the Missouri Constitution to prohibit state or local governments from imposing a transfer tax on the sale of real estate.

Missouri does not currently have such a tax nor has there been any effort in the General Assembly to establish one at the statewide level or to grant cities or counties the legal authorization necessary to impose local real estate transfer taxes.

Because neither the state nor any local Missouri government currently imposes a sales tax on the transfer of property, Amendment 3 wouldn't result in lost revenue for state or local governments.

MY SUGGESTION:
VOTE YES - This preemptive tax exemption is designed to prevent real estate double taxation. It will also protect real estate transactions if the state ever passes the "Fair tax".

KC Question 2 (Police/Public Safety)

QUESTION NO. 2 (General Bonds Capital Improvement)

Shall the City of Kansas City, Missouri, issue its general obligation bonds in the amount not to exceed $100,000,000.00 for the purpose of retiring debt incurred for funding expenditures for police and other improvements associated with promoting, providing, and administering public safety within Kansas City, including but not limited to acquiring, constructing, equipping, furnishing, and/or remodeling facilities and for purchasing and preparing motor vehicles and technology and for other capital improvement and capital equipment needs, and to improve response to all hazards, including biological/chemical terrorism or events? The authorization of the bonds will authorize the City to maintain tangible property tax rates sufficient to pay the interest and principal on the bonds until fully paid.

MY SUGGESTION:
VOTE YES - The police department has done a good job investing money for public safety.