Jeff City Report from State Representative John Burnett

This was spring break week in the Legislature so nothing terrible happened. I spent the week in KC meeting with various people and getting ready for the second half of the session. When we go back we will debate the budget and then start dealing with bills that have been through committees. Vouchers, taxes and some criminal issues are on the front burner.

Attacks on Courts nearing final votes

House will be debating attacks on the Court system

Just before spring break we debated House Joint Resolution 41 that would dramatically shift the balance of power from the Courts to the Legislature. It is presented as an effort to stop courts from raising taxes. Never mind that the only court imposed tax anyone has ever seen was Federal Judge Clark here in KC for desegregation. Now the resolution being pushed is just to get more conservative voters to the polls. If if is so important the Republicans would not have rejected on party lines an amendment to vote on the issue quickly. No. They insist it must be during the Presidential election. They believe it will attract a few people who would not otherwise vote and that might just tip the scales in Missouri.

Still lurking are resolutions attacking the way judges are chosen. The right wing group the Federalist Society is pushing that issue. that may be up for debate soon as well. Will keep you posted.

Board Elections coming April 8th
Arthur Benson Announces candidacy

April 8th there will be an election to choose some new school board members and three issues for Kansas City voters. First the School Board:

There is not much excitement about the Kansas City School Board election. In fact the subdistrict including Westport, Hyde Park and the Plaza area attracted zero candidates filed. In order to file all candidates had to do was get a petition signed by their friends and neighbors and take it to the election board. NOT ONE citizen volunteered. The KC School Board oversees a $320 Million dollar budget and no citizen in that politically active area was willing to even file for the seat. Now the seat will likely be filled by a write in vote on election day. And get this, Arthur Benson has announced he will seek the seat by a write in campaign. Benson was the lead counsel in the desegregation law suit against the district that lasted a generation and reshaped the district. Now he is offering that experience to serve on the School Board which, by the way, pays no salary or benefits. Talk about a payback.

Duane Kelly, from Northeast, is unopposed. The at-large seat held by Bill Eddy seems settled as well Eddy has announced he will not campaign for reelection and another candidate has filed for the seat.

I know full well that the job of the Board is very difficult but that, to me, means we should have a system that recruits citizens to serve there.

Chalk Walk April 26 and 27th in Historic Northeast

I will be sending a separate email with more details on this story to Northeast Residents in the next week or so but for now:

Here is the story from the Northeast Chamber newsletter

Chalk Walk in the Historic Northeast:
Celebrating Creativity. Building Community. Saturday, April 26th & Sunday April 27th, 2008 at the Concourse Park (Benton Blvd & St. John Avenue) 9am - 5pm: Rain or Shine! Experience two days "chalked" full of creative activities! This FREE, family-friendly event--in the tradition of European 16th Century street painting--transforms the dull, grey concrete sidewalks of Concourse Park into colorful, pastel pathways. Kids and parents will join local, amateur and practicing artists to create everything from temporary chalk "masterpieces" to some colorful games of Tic-Tac-Toe!

Chalk Walk Builds Community! Join us Saturday, April 26th from Noon - 3pm for a Neighborhood Picnic on the lawn of the Concourse Park. Bring a picnic lunch and enjoy the funky sounds of Tut and the Soul Sensation Band and puppet shows from Stone Lion Puppet Theatre or just watch your favorite artist(s) create their works.

Visit www.chalkwalk.org to sponsor a sidewalk square, download artist application, volunteer and more!

Thank you for the opportunity to serve. State Rep John Burnett

Jeff City Report March 23rd Easter Weekend

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