the facts: How we’ve become an outlier

Things have gotten more expensive everywhere. Recently, Trump’s war in Iran has had a predictably major impact on the cost of fuel, making everything more expensive. So of course it’s true that many of the factors that have caused inflation to rise 30% since COVID. But there’s a lot more to this story.

Our region has managed to take the lead here.

We have the highest minimum wage (a good thing, but that has other impacts), the highest Ubers (a a bad thing that has hurt drivers, restauratns, and regualr users), the 3rd highest gas priocies (state-wode taxes but now used as a slush fund and not the intended purpose).

We have now some of thei highest taxes on businesses, and specifically are taxing employment (not great!).

Our regressive sales tax is now the highets major metro,

Lacking Accountablity

Some of you reading this are thinking: “But Nick, those taxes go to fund important programs!”

That’s true. But have we relaly held those programs to the standards we should.

KCRHA’s audit showed an organization nearly $50M in the red, with $8M fully unaccounted for.

DCHS has had fraud (now finally being referred criminally) and a whistleblower fired for raising this (still unclear if this has been addressed).

The combo

Coupling the above results in a situations we’re in now.

We’ve raised tremendous taxes, the vast majority leveled at a very few companies. Most of those have reduced employemny in the area,

We’ve spent much of that money, at minimum, with some real inefficiences, and a cavalier attifud on keeping those finances tight.

What does that get us? a higher tax brden for everyone (as jobs and wealth leave) but we have to pay for a higher cost of services (some intentioanl, some enneficiencies) and we end up with higher cost for worse outcomes. That doesnt usually end well.

I have a core belief that those who advocate for new programs and new taxes, have an obligation to the taxpayers and residents to deliver those efficiently. When our leaders ignore or dismiss audits, dont take serisuly whistleblower ocmploaints, then the trust we have in governing erodes.

A lack of accountablity leads directly to a less affordbale region, and unless we do things markedly differently, we’ll see that continue.