WHAT DO WE WANT? EQUITY.
Kansas City has a history of inequity in housing, jobs, and education. Property taxes are public resources. Tax incentives are granted to private developers in ways that make inequities worse, by directing resources to benefit affluent parts of the city, successful businesses, and high-income residents. This comes at the expense of public services that support all residents, including low-wealth families and communities of color.
We want tax incentives to be used as promised by law: to stimulate investments in underserved areas. We are far behind in creating needed affordable housing, employment opportunities and infrastructure for underserved communities. Neighborhoods must now have a major role in these decisions.
