Ben McCall/Sun Photo
Mayor Mark Funkhouser made his case for a regional transit system at a Regional Mayors’ Summit on Light Rail on Friday, Feb. 8 at Pierpont’s at Union Station, 30 W. Pershing Ave.
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Funkhouser pushes for regional transit system, vote
By: Kelli Bamforth, Staff Writer
kellibamforth@sunpublications.com
Kansas City Mayor Mark Funkhouser made his case for a regional light rail system to about 40 city and county officials Friday.
The group agreed to continue discussing the idea at a future gathering.
Funkhouser said the meeting would help leaders across state lines discuss issues important to the entire metropolitan area.
“Whatever you think about light rail, I think you all agree it is important to have the mayors come together in a regional meeting,” he said. “The map does a good job of dividing us, but we can come together.”
Presentations highlighted light rail’s role in the environment and economy.
Bridging the Gap President Phelps Murdock said light rail could impact the region’s long-term health and sustainability.
“The reality is that our air quality is not what it should be,” Murdock said.
Murdock said vehicle emissions account for an average of 27 percent of carbon dioxide emissions nationwide but that rises to 37 percent in Kansas City. Building emissions account for 47 percent in Kansas City.
“We can’t solve the building problem today but we can begin to solve the vehicle problem,” he said. “Whatever you think about climate change, you have to consider whether the air is good enough, or whether the long-term water quality is good enough. We have to make some changes in our lives.”
Murdock said a regional transit system could help reduce emissions and dependence on fossil fuels. It also would save the population millions of dollars in commuting costs, he said.
Funkhouser said he estimates a regional light rail system will cost $4.5 billion, which should be balanced with how much could be saved long term.
“The cost of not doing transit may turn out to be a lot more than doing it,” he said.
Full Employment Council President Clyde McQueen said regional transit would create greater job access.
“The younger the population, the more they are unemployed, particularly among minorities and particularly among African-American men,” McQueen said. “That talent and excess of labor is the key to economic growth in the region.
“We have the labor and people who can do the work, but who don’t have access to school or work in a way that’s affordable.”
Denver Regional Transportation District Director Clarence Marsella spoke about light rail’s success in Denver. The system is funded by a one-cent sales tax in eight counties with help from federal funds and is overseen by a 15-member elected bipartisan board.
“Because you’re not at the table and ready to go, your federal tax dollars are helping us,” Marsella said. “We’ve received $685 million so far and expect $1 billion more. You’re missing out.”
Funkhouser’s plan calls for a one-half-cent sales tax in five counties – Jackson, Clay and Platte in Missouri, and Johnson and Wyandotte in Kansas – and an independent regional agency comprised of elected officials to oversee light rail development.
Funkhouser drafted the legislation with help from city attorneys, but said he is sure it can be improved.
“I’m not married to anything in this draft other than it needs to be a regional effort and it needs to start now,” he said. “I’m absolutely certain there’s a win-win for the region. It needs to reach all four corners of the metro and knit us together like we never have been before.
“I’ve heard it won’t pass because of political reasons, and I’ve heard that it’s not the time. If not now, when? There are a lot of folks who think regional transit in Kansas City doesn’t have a prayer, but (it does).”
Missouri Rep. Jason Holsman, District 45, said Funkhouser’s bistate legislation is a good start.
“I am taking a very serious look at sponsoring the legislation in the Missouri House,” Holsman said. “It’s a tremendous challenge and we’ve got a long way to go, but for the sake of the environment and for the good of the economy and to satisfy the will of the people, it’s now our job to get it done.
“I support a regional plan. Kansas City is a world-class city, and if we want to continue to maintain that mantel then we need a regional, mass transit system.”
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The group agreed to continue discussing the idea at a future gathering.
Funkhouser said the meeting would help leaders across state lines discuss issues important to the entire metropolitan area.
“Whatever you think about light rail, I think you all agree it is important to have the mayors come together in a regional meeting,” he said. “The map does a good job of dividing us, but we can come together.”
Presentations highlighted light rail’s role in the environment and economy.
Bridging the Gap President Phelps Murdock said light rail could impact the region’s long-term health and sustainability.
“The reality is that our air quality is not what it should be,” Murdock said.
Murdock said vehicle emissions account for an average of 27 percent of carbon dioxide emissions nationwide but that rises to 37 percent in Kansas City. Building emissions account for 47 percent in Kansas City.
“We can’t solve the building problem today but we can begin to solve the vehicle problem,” he said. “Whatever you think about climate change, you have to consider whether the air is good enough, or whether the long-term water quality is good enough. We have to make some changes in our lives.”
Murdock said a regional transit system could help reduce emissions and dependence on fossil fuels. It also would save the population millions of dollars in commuting costs, he said.
Funkhouser said he estimates a regional light rail system will cost $4.5 billion, which should be balanced with how much could be saved long term.
“The cost of not doing transit may turn out to be a lot more than doing it,” he said.
Full Employment Council President Clyde McQueen said regional transit would create greater job access.
“The younger the population, the more they are unemployed, particularly among minorities and particularly among African-American men,” McQueen said. “That talent and excess of labor is the key to economic growth in the region.
“We have the labor and people who can do the work, but who don’t have access to school or work in a way that’s affordable.”
Denver Regional Transportation District Director Clarence Marsella spoke about light rail’s success in Denver. The system is funded by a one-cent sales tax in eight counties with help from federal funds and is overseen by a 15-member elected bipartisan board.
“Because you’re not at the table and ready to go, your federal tax dollars are helping us,” Marsella said. “We’ve received $685 million so far and expect $1 billion more. You’re missing out.”
Funkhouser’s plan calls for a one-half-cent sales tax in five counties – Jackson, Clay and Platte in Missouri, and Johnson and Wyandotte in Kansas – and an independent regional agency comprised of elected officials to oversee light rail development.
Funkhouser drafted the legislation with help from city attorneys, but said he is sure it can be improved.
“I’m not married to anything in this draft other than it needs to be a regional effort and it needs to start now,” he said. “I’m absolutely certain there’s a win-win for the region. It needs to reach all four corners of the metro and knit us together like we never have been before.
“I’ve heard it won’t pass because of political reasons, and I’ve heard that it’s not the time. If not now, when? There are a lot of folks who think regional transit in Kansas City doesn’t have a prayer, but (it does).”
Missouri Rep. Jason Holsman, District 45, said Funkhouser’s bistate legislation is a good start.
“I am taking a very serious look at sponsoring the legislation in the Missouri House,” Holsman said. “It’s a tremendous challenge and we’ve got a long way to go, but for the sake of the environment and for the good of the economy and to satisfy the will of the people, it’s now our job to get it done.
“I support a regional plan. Kansas City is a world-class city, and if we want to continue to maintain that mantel then we need a regional, mass transit system.”