Lucas: Vote 'No' on Amendment 4 to defend local control in Kansas City and Missouri
Imagine waking up one day to find that people who don’t live in your city, who may have never even visited, suddenly have the power to decide how roughly $40 million of your city’s tax dollars are spent. But this isn’t a bad dream — it’s the reality that Kansas City faces if Amendment 4 passes on Aug. 6.
As the Mayor of Kansas City, I’ve witnessed firsthand the challenges our community faces and the innovative solutions we’ve developed to address them. But because the State of Missouri refuses to give our city control of our police department, we have to tackle public safety challenges with one hand tied behind our back. Amendment 4 attempts to tie our other hand, too. It threatens to undermine our ability to address the unique needs of our city, which is why I urge you to vote “No” on Aug. 6.
What’s at stake?
Amendment 4 proposes to increase the minimum funding the City of Kansas City must allocate to the police department from 20% to 25% of our general revenues. This might sound like a minor change, but it would cost our taxpayers an additional $40 million each year — money that could otherwise support our firefighters, maintain our parks, or repair our roads.
Let me be clear: I’ve always supported our police department. Since becoming mayor in 2019, I’ve voted to increase the police budget every year. This year alone, I raised officer starting salaries from $50,000 to $65,000. Our current police budget is 20% higher than it was when I took office.
But here’s the crux of the issue: Amendment 4 is not about supporting police. It’s about giving more power to Jefferson City bureaucrats and taking power from you through your local elections.
The anti-Kansas City (and anti-local government) agenda
Currently, Kansas City is unique in Missouri — and indeed, in the entire country — in that our police department is controlled by a state-appointed board rather than by local elected officials. This system dilutes the voices of Kansas City residents when determining our public safety priorities.
The system has a financial component, too. Kansas City has to write KCPD a $200+ million blank check every year, representing 20% of our general revenues. We can’t require that the police spend it responsibly by, for example, increasing officer salaries, improving community policing, improving 911 hold times, or investing in cutting-edge crime prevention technologies. We write a check and hope for the best.
We can, and often do, spend more than 20% of general revenues on KCPD. But spending that extra money is our choice. We evaluate our city’s priorities and needs, ask KCPD what they would do with extra non-mandatory funding, and decide whether or not to put our money toward policing.
Amendment 4 would put an end to even that limited exercise of local control. It would increase mandatory funding from 20% to 25%, forcing our hand regardless of our city’s changing needs or priorities. It’s a power grab disguised as a public safety measure.
This isn’t just a Kansas City issue. If Amendment 4 passes, it sets a dangerous precedent. Today, it’s Kansas City. Tomorrow, it could be Springfield, Nixa, or Ozark. The fundamental principle of local governance — that communities should have the power to make decisions about their own affairs — is at stake.
Why I’m noting “No,” and you should too
When you step into the voting booth on Aug. 6, you’re not just deciding on a budget allocation. You’re deciding on the future of local control in Missouri.
A “No” vote on Amendment 4 is a vote for local control and accountability. It’s a vote for flexible, responsive city budgeting. And it’s a vote affirming that local people should decide their community’s future, not unelected Jefferson City appointees.
Two years ago, Kansas City residents rejected the same measure by 61%. But voters from across the state, many unfamiliar with the complexities of our local governance, were misled into approving it. The Missouri Supreme Court struck down that vote due to misleading language. Now, we have another chance to make our voices heard.
As Mayor of Kansas City, I’m asking you to join me in voting “No” on Amendment 4. Let’s send a clear message that we believe in local solutions for local problems, and that we trust our communities to govern themselves.
The future of our city — and the principle of local governance across Missouri — depends on it.
Quinton Lucas is mayor of Kansas City.
This article originally appeared on Springfield News-Leader: Lucas: A 'Yes' vote on Missouri Amendment 4 threatens local democracy
