The Kansas City chapter of ReclaimDemocracy.org held a press conference on January 17 at UMKC to release Uneven Patchwork: Tax Increment Financing in Kansas City, an academic study authored by UMKC Economist Michael Kelsay, Ph.D. The study examines The Kansas City Council’s pattern of approval of Tax Increment Financing (TIF) plans by Council District. A full-page map of Kansas City is included in the study to illustrate the distribution of TIF plans with demographic information by Council District.

After a strike lasting nearly 3 months, 14,000 members of the United Steelworkers union who work for Goodyear Tire & Rubber have approved a new contract with the company by a 2-1 margin. The workers have been concerned about the retiree health program and the possible closing of a plant in Tyler, Texas. The company wanted a deal which will help it cut costs and remain “competitive” in the global economy.

Regional Food System Conference to take place at All Souls Unitarian Universalist Church, 4501 Walnut Kansas City, MO on February 2nd and 3rd. The Conference starts at 7:30 Friday evening and runs all day Saturday.

During a counter-recruitment protest outside of the Lawrence Army/Navy Career Center on Saturday December 16th, the small group of us that had showed up were confronted by a Naval officer. His words conveyed a clear message: Of all the recruitment centers under his command, the one in Lawrence was facing major trouble from protesters and dissidents.

Learning of the “police state” actions by the government of the state of Oaxaca, Mexico and by the federal government of Mexico, local activists have protested at the Mexican Consulate at 16th and Baltimore in Kansas City, MO. Teachers in Oaxaca, tired of insufficient funding of education and their low salaries, went on strike last spring. The violent efforts of the state government to stop the strike led to a mass movement. According to reports from people on the ground, about a month ago, the federal government added to the repression.

A recent USGS study found significant amounts of pollution in the Blue River watershed. The Blue River basin, which includes Indian Creek, is the primary watershed for the Kansas City area after the Missouri and Kansas rivers. The watershed covers around half of the Kansas City metro area south of the Missouri River, including most of eastern and southern Kansas City, Raytown, and parts of eastern Johnson County in Kansas.

The project builds sanctuaries for our liberties by helping cities express commitment to our Bill of Rights and opposition to anything which could undermine them.

Kansas City will be hosting a coordinated event similar to those to be held around the country, and will be expecting several thousand participants in a Mass Peace Gathering to be held on March 19, 2006 at 3:00 p.m. at Mill Creek Park (47th & Main) on the Country Club Plaza. The vigil, memorial ceremony, and peace rally is being endorsed by over fifty local faith-based, community, and social justice organizations, all of which are active in all areas of the bi-state area.