For years, Kansas City workers and organizers have fought to increase the city’s minimum wage to $15 an hour. The demand was front and center recently when workers at the Taco Bell fast-food restaurant on Wornall Road in Kansas City’s Waldo neighborhood held a walkout over claims of poor working conditions and low wages. “We […]
Economics
Posted inEconomics, Housing, Local Government
According to a housing ordinance, the median income for a four-person household is nearly six figures
Just 19 months after passing a new housing ordinance aimed at requiring developers to offer “extremely affordable” housing, the Kansas City Council has decided it hasn’t worked. On Aug. 18, the council voted 9-4 to change the ordinance, with council members Heather Hall, Brandon Ellington, Eric Bunch and Andrea Bough voting no. Now there is […]
Posted inEconomics, Housing
Some Missourians impacted by COVID-19 can get thousands in housing assistance
If you’re a Missouri homeowner who has been financially set back due to COVID-19, you may qualify for up to $50,000 to help pay for your mortgage. And if you’re a renter who has also been impacted by the pandemic, you may qualify for thousands to offset rent and utility payments — including back payments […]
Posted inEconomics, Labor
At the first Kansas Starbucks to unionize, workers still fighting for ‘bare minimum’
On Aug. 1, wage increases and an improved benefits package went into effect for Starbucks stores across the nation — but not for any of the stores that have unionized. The next day, workers at the 75th Street and Interstate 35 location in Overland Park went on strike, protesting this exclusion and unfair labor practices. […]
Posted inEconomics, Labor
Despite free bus fare, many workers using RideKC confront obstacles along their commutes
In 2020, Kansas City became the first major U.S. city to offer free bus fare through a three-year program called ZeroFare KC.
Posted inEconomics, Labor
KC Goes Tech provides training — and earning potential — to the people
In Kansas City and across the country, there aren’t enough workers to fill middle-skills jobs, which require at least a high school diploma but not a four-year degree. According to the latest data available from the National Skills Coalition, in 2018, 52% of U.S. jobs require skills training beyond high school. But only 43% of […]
Posted inEconomics, Local Government
Tax assessors are out measuring your front lawn. What exactly are they up to?
Owners of all of Jackson County’s 301,000 residential and commercial properties are expected to receive a visit from property tax assessors in 2022. Data collectors from the tax assessment office, clad in bright vests, will be measuring property lines and asking homeowners questions about the number of bedrooms and bathrooms, and whether the basement or […]
Posted inEconomics
How Kansas Citians are dealing with high gas prices: Filling up less, carpooling more
John Davis of Prairie Village doesn’t fill up his gas tank these days like he did before prices started soaring. Instead, he spends $20 or $30 on each trip to the pump. And he’s been driving less and cutting his spending for other things. “If you just spent $50 on gas out of your paycheck, […]
Posted inEconomics
Several Starbucks in Kansas and Missouri have unionized. How can other workers do the same?
At the south end of Mill Creek Park on a recent Sunday afternoon, near the iconic fountain by Kansas City’s Country Club Plaza, workers, allies and politicians gathered in a semicircle. Representing Starbucks Workers United, many were clad in black shirts and holding signs such as “Unions brew better coffee” and “Reinstate fired workers.” It […]
Posted inEconomics, Local Government
Here’s where you can get a free meal for your child this summer
With the arrival of summer, children in Kansas City are rejoicing at the warm weather and long-awaited pool days. But while kids celebrate, many parents quietly worry about the cost of food as the close of the school year means an end to school lunches and low-cost meals for their children. In response, the Missouri […]