After voters in Clay County approved a new county constitution in 2020, this year’s election will look a little different to voters. On Nov. 8, they will select at-large county commissioners for the first time in the county’s history, as well as an additional Clay County commissioner from each of two districts. Before the constitutional […]
Josh Merchant
Josh Merchant is The Beacon's local government reporter in Kansas City. After graduating from Seattle University, Josh earned a master’s degree in investigative journalism from Columbia Journalism School with coursework in data journalism. Josh has contributed reporting to The Seattle Spectator, The South Seattle Emerald and THE CITY in New York. They're a former Beacon intern. At The Beacon, they reported on issues of traffic safety, with a focus on roadway design, as well as tax-incentivized development at a variety of Kansas City agencies. They have lived in Kansas City since 2021.
Posted inElections, Housing, Local Government
This ballot question would fund ‘deeply affordable housing’ in KC
Housing activists like Maya Neal have had their differences with city hall. But an afternoon in late October found Neal knocking on doors in south Kansas City in support of a ballot question sponsored by Mayor Quinton Lucas and the City Council. “I’m going around talking to neighbors about Question 2 on November’s ballot. It’s […]
Posted inElections, Local Government
Inside Clay County’s proposed $1.7 million tax cut
Commercial property owners in Clay County may soon see a tax cut if voters decide to roll back the property surtax by 10% on Nov. 8. This represents roughly $1.7 million total in tax revenue and it would make Clay County the first county in Missouri to reduce the surtax since 1985. This proposal has […]
Posted inElections, Local Government
Here’s why all eyes are on the Jackson County executive race on Nov. 8
Over the past seven years, Jackson County has seen three different county executives. After then-County Executive Mike Sanders resigned at the end of 2015 — and went to prison in 2018 for corruption — Fred Arbanas served for one week as interim executive until Frank White Jr. was appointed to the role in January 2016. Now, […]
Posted inElections, Local Government, Uncategorized
Live in KC, Independence or Lee’s Summit? Here are your Jackson County Legislature candidates
Editor’s note: An earlier version of this story contained incorrect information about the county executive’s ability to vote in the Jackson County legislature. Some of the races for the Jackson County Legislature were decided in the August primary election, and one district’s incumbent is running unopposed. But voters in three legislative districts will see a […]
Posted inElections, Local Government
Who will Jackson County voters pick to represent them in the County Legislature?
After a primary election that already unseated an incumbent, Jackson County residents will see at least six new faces in the nine seats of their County Legislature. In the at-large races, six candidates are competing for three positions. Although each at-large legislator is elected by voters in the entire county, candidates must live in their […]
Posted inElections, Local Government
The winner of this election will lead the Johnson County Commission
After the nonpartisan primary election on Aug. 2, the race for Johnson County Commission chair has narrowed to two candidates: the 3rd District Commissioner Charlotte O’Hara and Roeland Park Mayor Mike Kelly. The Johnson County Commission oversees the county government, including a $1.45 billion budget and about 30 county departments. The Johnson County Commission chair […]
Posted inElections, Local Government
“Let our people vote”: Sheriff won’t let voter registration groups inside Jackson County jail
Social justice and voting rights groups in Kansas City have been calling on Sheriff Darryl Forté to allow voter registration activities inside the Jackson County jail for several weeks. But as Missouri’s Oct. 12 deadline to register to vote approaches, Forté’s stance has left advocates confused and frustrated. Metro Organization for Racial and Economic Equity […]
Posted inElections, Local Government
Here are your candidates for the Johnson County Commission this November
When voters arrive at polling places on Nov. 8 for the general election, Johnson County ballots will include choices for four out of seven members of the county commission. This includes the race for commission chair, who is chosen by all voters in the Johnson County election, as well as three district representatives. The Johnson […]
Posted inHousing, Local Government
Subsidized development in Waldo has 296 new apartments but no affordable housing
Residents of Kansas City’s Waldo neighborhood may soon see changes along a popular commercial strip, where the Kansas City Area Transportation Authority’s development arm has recommended the first of three approvals for tax incentives for an apartment development at 74th Street and Broadway. The six-story project, called Waldo74Broadway, is expected to contain 296 apartment units as […]