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Kansas City is voting on a sales tax to fund a new jail. Here's what to know about Question 1


Published on 2025-03-17 05:40:39 - KCUR
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  • Kansas City's public safety sales tax has been used to support the police department and emergency and medical services. Mayor Quinton Lucas and other officials want voters to renew it so the city can use the money to build a new jail and rehabilitation center.

The article from KCUR discusses a proposed sales tax increase in Kansas City, Missouri, set to appear on the April ballot as Question 1. This tax would raise the sales tax by 0.25% to fund the construction of a new jail, replacing the current facility which is over 50 years old and has been criticized for its conditions. The new jail would be built on the site of the former Kansas City Workhouse, aiming to improve conditions for inmates, staff, and the community. Proponents argue that the new facility is necessary due to the current jail's state of disrepair and its inability to meet modern standards for mental health care, rehabilitation, and safety. However, there is opposition due to concerns over the cost, the potential for increased incarceration rates, and the prioritization of jail funding over other community needs like housing and education. The tax increase would generate an estimated $30 million annually, with the total project cost projected at around $300 million.

Read the Full KCUR Article at:
[ https://www.kcur.org/politics-elections-and-government/2025-03-17/kansas-city-jail-sales-tax-question-1-april-election ]