Missouri passes bill to increase KC police funding | Kansas City Star

Jefferson City

In direct response to Kansas City Council’s decision last year to assert more control over police spending, Missouri lawmakers on Friday approved two bills intended to require the city to spend more money on law enforcement.

The passage of the legislation will likely set off a contentious legal battle between the city and state in the near future.

One of the two measures would raise the minimum percentage of Kansas City’s general revenue that must be spent on police from 20% to 25%. It passed the Missouri House by a vote of 102-32 on the final day of the legislative session and awaits a signature from Republican Gov. Mike Parson.

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The other, an amendment to the state constitution, would allow voters to decide whether the legislature can increase minimum funding for police. The House voted 103-44 to pass the measure, which will enable the issue to be added to the November ballot.

The decision to approve both measures in the waning hours of the legislation session drew quick criticism from Kansas City-area Democrats, who argued the move was a politically-motivated attempt to stifle local control. It illustrates continued anger among GOP lawmakers and a sustained push to end the unusual state of control of Kansas City police.

Sen. Tony Luetkemeyer, a Parkville Republican and sponsor of both bills, said the constitutional amendment would allow the funding increase to take effect if the bill is signed by Parson. He painted the legislation as a win for police officers.

“We need to prevent future radical attempts to defund the KCPD,” he told The Star Friday. “This ensures the brave men and women in the KCPD have the resources they need to keep our city safe.”

Kansas City Mayor Quinton Lucas was in Washington, D. C. visiting the White House with Interim Police Chief Joseph Mabin when the vote took place. Lucas is among a group of mayors meeting with President Joe Biden and other officials to discuss how local police departments can tap into federal funding to pay for increased public safety.

“I’m disappointed to hear that the House and the Senate took this step that is a step back for Missouri and Kansas City,” Lucas told The Star. “We need more local influence in terms of how we make our policing decisions.”

“Just today, I’m with the chief of police at the White House, talking about how we can make Kansas City safer,” he said. “The step taken today in Jefferson City does the exact opposite of that.”

Moments later, Lucas expanded on this point from the White House podium as he and Mabin joined outgoing White House press secretary Jen Psaki at her daily press briefing. Lucas said that local problems deserve locally-driven solutions.

“I do not think, necessarily, that someone in outstate Missouri has better answers for policing than somebody in the core of Kansas City,” he said. “...I do not support anything that takes away our ability to work with our local police department and neighborhood leaders in terms of how we get to better solutions for violent crime.”

Lucas floated a likely lawsuit against the legislation late Friday, saying on Twitter that our lawyers and ultimately judges solve the question of our anti-democratic system of state police control.

Rep. Doug Richey, an Excelsior Springs Republican, said the legislation was a move to stop Kansas City officials from “defunding” its police department.

“I think that the actions of the mayor and city council last year raised tremendous alarm regarding the stability of funding for something as important as the Kansas City Police Department,” he told The Star Friday.

Lucas and a supermajority of the council last May moved to reallocate $42 million from the police budget to establish a Community Services and Prevention Fund.

Under this initiative, police commissioners would be required to negotiate with the city on how the money would be spent. The plan would have funded police at the required 20% threshold under state law, while allowing the city to control spending above that amount.

But the police board sued and prevailed when Jackson County Circuit Court Judge Patrick W. Campbell ruled that the council violated Missouri law and overstepped its authority to redirect police funding after it had approved the budget.

Kansas City is the only city in the state that lacks direct control over its police department. The police board is controlled by the governor’s appointees under a 1939 law. Friday’s vote further lessens the city’s control of the department by raising the required funding threshold.

“I hate it,” said Sen. Barbara Washington, a Kansas City Democrat. “It is a sad day that we are putting before the voters of the entire state the funding that comes from the citizens of Kansas City.”

Kansas City leaders react to General Assembly’s move on police funding

The increase in funding would be used to hire more police officers, hire additional community inaction officers and provide pay increase for uniformed and civilian employees, said Bishop Mark Tolbert.

“I am certain police commissioners and the mayor will work diligently to make sure that all monies that come from the city to the police department are spent in an efficient way,” Tolbert told The Star.

Faith leaders and community activists wanted a portion of the department’s $269 million operating budget to fund crime prevention, community outreach and other crime-fighting initiatives.

“The passage of this egregious legislation further makes the case for local control of the KCPD,” said Gwen Grant, president/CEO of the Urban League of Greater Kansas City. “It is the height of hypocrisy that this conservative legislature would mandate how a local government should allocate their resources.

“The mayor, city council and civic leaders should immediately pursue all avenues to get local control of KCPD and stop this oppressive government over reach by the Missouri Legislature,” she said.

Darron Edwards, lead pastor of United Believers Community Church, has advocated for improved relations between the police department and the community challenged how increased funding would reduce crime and enhance police accountability.

“No one denies that we need police. Everyone should agree we need better policing,” Edwards said. “Now that the measure has passed, how will this increased revenue improve policing throughout Kansas City?Will this help to retain officers? I doubt it.

“Will this help to improve community trust so violent crimes can be solved? I doubt it. Will it be used to fund organizations who stand willing to aid in prevention and collaboration? I doubt it,” Edwards said.

Other community leaders have pushed for local control over the police department. The action by the General Assembly provides new urgency towards that effort, said Lora McDonald, executive director of MORE2, a local social justice organization.

“We hope that this type of legislation will wake up Kansas City voters,” McDonald said. “We have no control over our own tax dollars and we need local control of these police departments. Shame on the Missouri legislators who voted yes for this legislation and slighted home rule.”

Melissa Robinson, who represents the 3rd District on the City Council, has fought for city leaders to have more say in how the police department spends money allocated by the council.

“This is a sad day for taxpayers in Kansas City,” said Robinson. “It’s unconscionable that Kansas Citians have to pay for government activities without any direct say in policing policies or accountability. Kansas Citians’ rights are just as important as any other Missourian.”

“We must move away from this antiquated model and work for local control. We are the only city in our nation under this type of oppressive regime. Change cannot come quick enough,” she said.

McClatchy White House correspondent Michael Wilner contributed to this report.

This story was originally published May 13, 2022 12:59 PM.