The Labor-Management Council of Greater Kansas City

The next LMC Construction Industry Committee meeting will be 8 a.m., Thursday, Nov. 11 at Mark One Electric Co., Inc. Contact the LMC for details.

LMC Endorsements for Nov. 2 Election

The Labor-Management Council of Greater Kansas City urges you to vote Nov. 2.  Our Board of Directors has unanimously endorsed the following positions on the ballot:

•A No vote on Missouri Proposition A

•A Yes vote on Missouri Amendment 3

•A Yes vote on the Kansas City, Mo. Public Safety Sales Tax  renewal (Questions 1 & 2)

The board opposes Proposition A because of the extensive harm it could do to needed public services in Kansas City, Mo.  Executive Director Bob Jacobi also points out that Proposition A is unneeded, uneconomical and unfair.  Here’s why:

•Proposition A is unneeded.  Kansas City voters already have the power of initiative petition to reconsider the earnings tax at any time voters choose to.  As most voters are aware, it is not that difficult to get city issues on the ballot. For other cities, Missouri’s Hancock amendment requires that a public vote be held for any new tax to be imposed.  Voters, not politicians, already hold the fate of any new earnings taxes in their hands.

•Proposition A is uneconomical.  Even if Kansas City voters renew the tax, the five year sunset means that 40 percent of the city’s general revenue is essentially unavailable or much more expensive to be leveraged for general obligation bonds.  Particularly when interest rates are low, taxpayers save money by having capital improvements paid for via bonds rather than pay as you go.  Proposition A would make government more expensive, not less, in Kansas City and St. Louis.

Replacement of the earnings tax would require dramatic increases in sales and property taxes and/or significant cuts in essential services, making Kansas City less competitive.

•Proposition A is unfair.  Why should Kansas City voters tell Joplin voters whether or not they should have an earnings tax?  Why should Joplin voters tell Kansas Citians when they have to vote on the tax?  Proposition A takes away local control of taxation, which is unfair to all Missouri voters.

Whatever one thinks of earnings taxes or the fiscal policies of any particular city, Proposition A is the wrong way to address those concerns.  Voters already have the power to regulate earnings taxes in their own hands, taxpayers don’t need government to become more expensive and voters don’t need the entire state controlling their city finances.

A “No” vote on Proposition A is the needed, economical and fair thing to do.

Missouri Amendment 3 would, if passed, bar property transfer taxes that could make development in Missouri uncompetitive with other states.  The board recommends a Yes vote to preclude such taxes.

Kansas City Questions 1 & 2 would renew the quarter-cent sales tax for capital improvements that will enhance law enforcement and emergency services and authorize bonds to begin those projects.  The projects would continue the upgrade of critical police and emergency infrastructure that began with the current sales tax, which expires next year.

The Board also approved an issues agenda for the 2011 federal and state legislative sessions:

Federal
•Support Federal funding for study of proposed commuter rail network.

Missouri
•The LMC supports reasonable and effective economic development incentives.  While the LMC supports ensuring that tax credits and other incentives are cost effective, we want to preserve those tax credits crucial to economic development such as the historic tax credit, tax increment financing, the tax credit for the Three Trails project and similar programs.  The LMC also supports enhancing the Quality Jobs program and including the impact of construction jobs created by the program.  The LMC also supports enhanced education and training tax credits, as long as those programs include existing construction apprenticeship and journeyman training programs.
•The LMC supports Gov. Nixon’s task for on the automotive industry in Missouri, and encourages the Task Force also consider the General Motors Fairfax plant in its plans as Missouri workers and businesses are involved with that plant as well.
•The LMC supports restoration of Medicaid funding (Missouri) to its level before the cuts of 2005.
•The LMC supports restoration of Missouri programs that foster economic development and provide critical services such as Medicaid, education, the arts, childcare subsidies for working parents and others.
•The LMC supports state funding for a comprehensive transportation plan.
•The LMC supports Prevailing Wage in its present form.
•The LMC opposes TABOR (taxpayer bill of rights).
•The LMC endorses retention of the Missouri Plan for judicial selection and the similar policy that exists in Kansas.
 •The LMC opposes the “Missouri Civil Rights Initiative” that would ban affirmative action programs and is attempting to gather signatures to get on the ballot.
•The LMC opposes elimination of the Kansas City, Mo. city earnings tax until an alternative is in place. 
•The LMC supports development of a statutory framework for public employee collective bargaining in Missouri to reduce uncertainty for workers and for public employers.

Kansas
•The LMC supports reasonable and effective economic development incentives.
•The LMC supports funding for the comprehensive transportation plan enacted in 2010.
•The LMC opposes immigration reform proposals that would put the burden of I-9 verification on contractors for subcontractors.  Verification responsibility should fall only on the direct employer of those workers.

For more information please contact the LMC.

LMC Board Develops Issue Agenda, Sets Event Dates

LMC Board of Directors Summary of Minutes
Oct. 20, 2010 • Kansas City, Mo., City Hall, Human Resources

Attending: Terry Akins, Sam Alpert, Jack Bainbridge, Scott Hoisington, Kevin Istas, Dave Kendrick, Dave Lovetere, Robbiie Makinen, Gary O’Bannon, Bob Jacobi

•Thanks to Gary O’Bannon and the city of Kansas City, Mo., for hosting.

•M/S/C to accept the Financial Report subject to audit. Note: the left column on the Balance Sheet should be headed by Sept. 30, 2009, not Sept. 30, 2010.

•M/S/C to accept Issues Committee recommendations with the following amendments:  Move the benefits tax in federal health reform to a “watch” issue, and to add to the economic development position “Evaluation of projects supported by the Quality Jobs Act and other tax credit programs should include the impact of construction jobs created by the programs.”

•M/S/C to oppose the imposition of real estate transfer taxes in Missouri and therefore to endorse a “Yes” vote on Missouri Amendment 3 Nov. 2.

•The Mid-America Labor/Management Conference is accepting input for the 2011 conference, which will be July 5-9.  Contact Bob Jacobi with suggestions before Oct. 30.

•Rock Talk Sept. 17 was successful.  The 2010-11 Mid-Level class has 10 participants, nine from the city of Kansas City, Mo., and one from IBEW Local 124.  Work continues on an advanced program.

•The Public Officials Reception will be held Nov. 18, 5-7 p.m. at Arrowhead Stadium.  Electronic and print invitations are going out soon and sponsorships are sought.  All Missouri and Kansas freshman legislators will be invited as the Freshman Weekend in KC will be Nov. 19-21.  Up to five LMC board members may attend Nov. 19 and Nov. 20 evening events (first come, first served). Board members can contact Bob Jacobi if interested in attending.

•The 2011 Anniversary Celebration and Awards Dinner will be April 14 at Argosy Casino (pending reservation of the space).  A list of potential speakers was developed.

•M/S/C to elect Chuck Tarpley to the Board replacing Frank Jackson, who has retired.

•The next meeting will be at 8 a.m., Wednesday, Jan. 19, 2011, location TBA.

•M/S/C to adjourn at 9:30 a.m.

Construction Committee Reviews Ballot Issues, Tax Credits

Construction Industry Steering Team Summary of Minutes
 8 a.m., Thursday, Oct. 14, 2010, Mark One Electric Co., Inc.
Attending:  Terry Akins, Sam Alpert, Jack Bainbridge, Rosana Privitera-Biondo, KC Borden, Craig Chastain, Sang Duong, Don Greenwell, Mike Fitzgerald, Scott Hoisington, Steve Janasz, Pat Julo, Garry Kemp, Dave Kendrick, Bob Looman, Herb Millard, Bill Miller, Payne Mendenhall, Bill Miller, Dan Osman, Barbara Schilling, Lonnie Scott, Allison Sims, Jon Thompson, Tom Whittaker, Colleen White, Bob Jacobi.
•Introductions and thanks to Rosie Biondo and Mark One for hosting.
•The KCMO Prevailing Wage subcommittee is working on improving city staff’s ability to spot potential violations, and is training city staff.  The Missouri Dept. of Labor has significantly increased prosecution of worker misclassification; Assistant Attorney General Sara Dick will be at the Plumbers-Pipefitters Hall at 10:30 am today and at IBEW Local 124 at 1:30 p.m.  The next committee meeting is 1:30 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 3 at KCMO city hall, 8th floor.  All Construction Committee members are welcome to attend.
•Discussion of the KBR contract with Kansas City, Mo., and the University of Missouri system for Job Order Contracting continued.  KBR was unable to perform on a recent city job; some indications are that relationship with Columbia contractors has improved.  Input will be provided to the city when the next renewal is due.
•The LMC Issues Committee has recommended endorsement of the Kansas City, Mo. Public Safety Sales Tax on the Nov. 2 ballot, with final approval at the Oct. 20 board meeting.
•The new KCMO Zoning & Development Codes scheduled for full implementation Jan. 1 has several items of concern.  A summary of the impact will be sent to committee members.
•A new Small Local Business Program is being pursued by KCMO to assist small firms not qualified under MBE/WBE.  A summary will be sent to the committee.
•There is an active campaign against Proposition A, which would require votes on KCMO and St. Louis earnings taxes.  The LMC will be active in opposition.  About $12,000 remains to be raised for the proposed study of the impact of the KCMO earnings tax, though it would need to be used for the city renewal election if Prop A passes.  Contact Sam Alpert or the LMC to contribute.
•Missouri Amendment 3 would bar the imposition of real estate transfer taxes and is on the Nov. 2 ballot.  Development and real estate groups are supporting it.
•Missouri’s Tax Credit Review Commission is meeting (minutes at tcrc.mo.gov) and is expected to make recommendations on which tax credit programs generate the best return for job creation.
•Garry Kemp has been appointed to the Jackson County Sports Authority by Gov. Nixon.  His term ends in 2015.
•NICE’s golf tournament is Oct. 18 at Oakwood Country Club.  Foursomes, sponsors, donations of food/beverages and prizes are needed .
•Minority & Women Coalition Luncheon Oct. 29, Argosy Casino; federal legislators are expected to speak.
•Johnson County contractors licensing conference will be held Nov. 1-5 at Overland Park Convention Center.  Colleen White is teaching six sessions.
•The LMC Public Officials Reception is scheduled for Nov. 18 at Arrowhead Stadium.
•NICE’s new education consultant is Barbara Schilling, and she is already meeting with industry leaders and educators to begin planning for the 2010-11 school year and 2011 iBuild Showcase.  An excellent meeting was held with KCMO Superintendent John Covington at the Construction Users Council and work is underway with the district.  Barbara’s contact information is (913) 268-9379, [email protected].
•The Independence School District is entering into a Project Labor Agreement for at least $9 million in projects under the bond issue approved earlier this year.
•The next meeting will be held at 8 a.m., Thursday, Nov. 11 at Mark One Electric Co., Inc.

Note: The LMC mourns the passing of retired Plumbers Local 8 Business Manager Jim Corliss.

The LMC mourns the death of the Hon. Karen McCarthy. A state legislator for 18 years and Member of Congress for 10, Karen was a great friend to the LMC. She inserted input from the LMC into the Congressional Record as part of her successful effort to pass bistate-enabling legislation, but more than that she often worked for win-win approaches on issues of interest to labor and management. Her intelligence, curiosity and compassion as well as sense of style elevated both legislative bodies she served in. Enthusiasm, unwavering determination and an orientation to the future brought her support from companies and unions, liberals and conservatives, Democrats and Republicans, men and women. She will be greatly missed not just as a public servant but also a friend.

We will report on services when the information is available.

The first session of the 2010-2011 Mid-Level Leadership Program featured key leadership lessons from Mike Sanders, Jackson County executive and LMC co-chair, and Dave Kendrick, business manager, Greater KC Building & Construction Trades Council, LMC secretary and Mid-Level grad himself. Their insights provided a perfect introduction to the program and stimulated much discussion. See photos at left under Sanders at Mid-Level Class.

Photos are now available from Rock Talk: Past, Present and Future of Labor-Management Relationships, Celebrating Rockhurst University's Centennial and its Unique Role in Labor-Management Sept. 17. Check the list of photo albums on the left.

The LMC's Construction Industry Committee will next meet at 8 a.m., Oct. 14 at Mark One Electric Co., Inc., 909 Troost Ave.

The annual NICE Golf Tournament is scheduled for Oct. 18 at Oakwood Country Club. Contact NECA-KC or the LMC for details.