>> NICK: A LITTLE FOOTBALL GAME ON THE MINDS OF KANSAS CITIANS THIS WEEK AS THE CHIEFS RETURN TO THE SUPER BOWL.

BEFORE HE JUMPS ON A PLANE TO TAMPA TO TAKE HIS SEAT AT THE GAME, MAYOR LUCAS TAKES A SEAT ON WEEK IN REVIEW.

PLUS WE TRACK THE REST OF THE WEEK'S NEWS FROM A NEW LAWSUIT FILED AGAINST THE MAYOR OVER PANDEMIC RESTRICTIONS TO A NEW PLAN FROM THE KANSAS GOVERNOR TO LEGALIZE MEDICAL POT TO FUND MEDICAID EXPANSION.

PLUS DOES BASS PRESS PAY?

>> WEEK IN REVIEW IS MADE POSSIBLE THROUGH THE GENEROUS SUPPORT OF DAVE AND JAMIE CUMMINGS, BOB AND MARLEY SCORELY, HAS AND WILKERSON INSURANCE, THE COURTNEY S. TURNER CHARITABLE TRUST, JOHN H. MIZE AND BANK OF AMERICA, NA, COTRUSTEES, AND BY VIEWERS LIKE YOU.

THANK YOU.

>> NICK: HELLO.

I'M NICK HAINES AND WELCOME TO A WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP WINNING EDITION OF WEEK IN REVIEW.

A QUICK ASIDE TO BEGIN WITH.

I'M SURE YOU'RE FAMILIAR WITH MEDICAL ADVICE ABOUT LIMITING THE TIME YOU SPEND LOOKING AT YOUR COMPUTER OR YOUR PHONE SCREEN.

THAT GOES FOR ME TOO, AND THAT'S WHAT MAKES MAYOR QUINTON LUCAS A SIGHT FOR SORE EYES THIS WEEK.

HE'S NOT GOING TO BE A GUEST THAT POPS UP ON A JOINT ZOOM SCREEN.

HE IS HERE IN THE FLESH.

HOW MANY TIMES, MAYOR LUCAS, HAS SOMEBODY SAID TO YOU, YOU ARE A SIGHT FOR SORE EYES.

>> NOT THAT MUCH IN LIFE.

>> YOU'RE GOING TO BE HEADING TO TAMPA AND WE'RE PLEASED YOU STOPPED BY BEFORE YOU LEFT.

THERE ARE GOING TO BE PEOPLE SAYING, WOW, WITH ALL THE PROBLEMS IN THE CITY, HE HAS TIME TO GOING TO TAMPA?

WHO IS PAYING FOR THIS.

>> I'M BE TALKING WITH THE MAYOR ABOUT PUBLIC SAFETY, TRANSPORTATION.

TAXPAYERS ARE NOT FUNDING THIS TRAVEL.

NEVER HAPPENS THAT WAY IN SOMETHING LIKE THIS, AND I WILL BE BACK SOON STARTING BRIGHT AND EARLY MONDAY MORNING TO ADDRESS ALL OF KANSAS CITY'S ISSUES, BUT WE'LL DO IT VIRTUALLY WHILE I'M AWAY AS WELL.

>> NICK: AS YOU ARE THE MAYOR OF ONE OF THE CITIES PLAYING IN THE SUPER BOWL, DOES THAT GIVE YOU ONE OF THE BEST SEATS?

>> I WISH IT WERE THAT WAY.

I GOT TO EXPERIENCE LAST YEAR'S SUPER BOWL.

I WAS IN THE STANDS LIKE EVERYONE ELSE.

I PLAN TO BE IN THE SAME PLACE.

I DON'T HAVE THE MONEY OF A JEFF BEZOS.

>> NICK: DO YOU GET TO RUB ELBOWS, SHOULDERS WITH SOME OF THE PLAYERS?

>> IN REGULAR TIMES, YOU DO HAVE A NUMBER OF TIMES.

I'VE BEEN TALKING WITH THE MAYOR OF TAMPA, AND YOU DO HAVE A NUMBER OF EVENTS, ENGAGEMENTS, THOSE SORTS OF THINGS.

WE ARE NOT THE PRETTIEST SUBJECTS, NECESSARILY, AS PUBLIC SERVANTS, BUT WE DO GET A CHANCE TO INTERACT AROUND THIS GAME.

>> WHAT HAS BEEN YOUR RELATIONSHIP WITH PATRICK MAHOMES?

DOES HE EVER CALL YOU UP AND SAY, YOU KNOW, I KNOW THE CITY HAS PROBLEMS.

CAN I USE MY NAME TO HELP YOU?

>> YOU KNOW, I HAVE HAD THE CHANCE TO GET TO KNOW PATRICK MAHOMES A BIT, FAR FROM A BEST FRIEND OR ANYTHING LIKE THAT, BUT HE HAS BEEN SUCH A WONDERFUL CONTRIBUTOR TO THE KANSAS CITY COMMUNITY.

WE ARE SO LUCKY TO HAVE HIM, SO LUCKY TO HAVE HIM HERE FOR A NUMBER OF YEARS IN ADVANCE, AND AS YOU KNOW, HELPING OUT AT MARTIN LUTHER KING PARK, HELPING OUT WITH POLLS AT ARROWHEAD STADIUM ON ELECTION DAY.

HE HAS CONTINUED TO BE SOMEBODY WHO IS A DYNAMIC DIFFERENCE MAKER FOR KANSAS CITY ON AND OFF THE FIELD.

>> NICK: YOU FRUSTRATED MANY MEMBERS OF OUR METROPOLITAN AREA WHEN YOU SAID, WELL, THERE'S NOT GOING TO BE A CELEBRATION, PUBLIC PARADE, IF THE CHIEFS DO INDEED WIN ON SUNDAY.

WAS THERE EVER A MOMENT THAT YOU SAID, YOU KNOW, WE COULD PULL THIS OFF?

YOU KNOW, I THINK SOMEONE IN MY STAFF DID THE RESEARCH TO SAY THAT IF WE HAD 700,000 PEOPLE SOCIALLY DISTANCED BETWEEN 6 FEET, YOU WOULD HAVE SOME INCREDIBLY LONG 900-MILE PARADE OR SOMETHING OF THE SORTS.

A MATH TEACHER WILL CHECK US.

IT IS JUST NOT POSSIBLE RIGHT NOW.

WE RECOGNIZE THAT AS WE REOPEN, WE HAD FANS IN THE STADIUM, BUT FAR FEWER, AND IT WOULD JUST NOT BE SAFE TO HAVE SOME SCENE WHERE EVERYBODY IS CROWDING IN, AND INDEED, WHEN YOU LOOK AT THE FLU PANDEMIC OF 100 YEARS AGO, THAT WAS PART OF THE WAYS THAT PHILADELPHIA HAD MESSED UP.

THEY HAD THIS PARADE.

SO MANY PEOPLE GOT SICK.

WE ARE NOT GOING TO MAKE THE SAME MISTAKE IN KANSAS CITY IN 2021.

>> NICK: WE LOOK AT THE COVID NUMBERS WITH THE DECISION MADE THAT WE'RE NOT GOING TO DO THE PARADE.

NUMBERS ARE GOING DOWN, AND WE BREAK THAT AGAIN THIS WEEK, EVEN LOWER.

WE HAVE THE KU HOSPITAL SAYING THEY'RE HAPPY WITH HOW THINGS ARE GOING RIGHT NOW.

LOWEST HOSPITALIZATIONS SINCE NOVEMBER 30th.

IF THAT IS NOT THE SIGN YOU'RE LOOKING FOR, WHAT IS THE INDICATOR TO YOU THAT SAYS THINGS ARE FINE FOR A PARADE?

>> WELL, A STEADY AND SUSTAINED DECLINES, WHICH I DON'T KNOW THAT WE'LL BE ABLE TO GET TO BY TUESDAY OR WEDNESDAY OF NEXT WEEK.

THAT WHAT WE ARE CONTINUING TO DO.

GETTING THE VACCINE ROLLOUT IN.

BUT I'VE STILL GOT URBAN SCHOOL DISTRICTS THAT ARE NOT REOPENED FOR IN-PERSON LEARNING.

WE NEED TO MAKE SURE WE'RE FOCUSING ON THE COVID-19 RECOVERY.

I HAVE NO DOUBT THEY WILL BE BACK IN THE SUPER BOWL AND VICTORIOUS NEXT YEAR AS WELL.

>> YOU WENT TO THE INAUGURATION AS WELL AS GOING TO THE SUPER BOWL.

SOME PEOPLE SAY, HE'S DOING ALL OF THESE THINGS, ABOUT BUT HE WON'T LET ME GO TO THE PARADE.

>> I THINK THERE'S THIS.

I'M COVID TESTED FAIRLY CONSISTENTLY.

I HAVE BEEN A LOT.

ALMOST EVERYTHING I GO TO COVID TESTS YOU A NUMBER OF DIFFERENT TIMES, AND WE TRY TO MAKE SURE WE HAVE ALL OF THOSE SAFE PROTOCOLS.

YOU KNOW, WE HAVE BEEN PREACHING FOR A WHILE TO KANSAS CITIANS THAT AS PERHAPS AS YOU GO BACK TO WORK SPACES OR SCHOOLS, MAKING SURE YOU'RE DOING THINGS LIKE STAYING SAFE, KEEPING YOUR DISTANCES, WEARING A MASK MAKES A WORLD OF DIFFERENCE, AND WE JUST DON'T KNOW IF A PARADE SCENE LIKE THEY SAW IN TUSCALOOSA, ALABAMA AFTER BAMA WON THE NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP IS THE TYPE OF SCENE WE WANT TO SEE IN KANSAS CITY.

IT'S TOO EARLY.

THAT'S WHY WE'RE PLAYING IT SAFE.

>> YOU WERE AT THE INAUGURATION.

SOME PEOPLE SAID AT THE TIME, YOU'RE ONLY THERE TO SHMOOZE.

>> IT IS LIMITLESS.

WE WORK WITH OUR SENATORS, AND WE WILL CONTINUE TO DO SO, INDEED GETTING $14 MILLION, THANKS TO THE EFFORTS OF SENATOR BLUNT, CONGRESSMAN CLEAVER VERY RECENTLY.

THAT'S STEP 1 AS TO WHY.

YOU THEN VISIT WITH OTHER ELECTED OFFICIALS AND OTHER LEADERS, BOTH MAYORS, LIKE BOWSER OF D.C.

BUT ALSO TALKING TO NOW SECRETARY PETE BUTTIGIEG.

THESE ARE THE RELATIONSHIPS YOU BUILD TO TRY TO GET THINGS DONE IN WASHINGTON.

THERE WERE NO PARTIES, NO BIG CELEBRATIONS.

>> YOU HAVE WORKED ON HAVING GOOD RELATIONSHIPS WITH REPUBLICANS ON BOTH SIDES OF THE STATE LINE.

>> YES.

>> AND THAT ALSO INCLUDES SENATOR JOSH HAWLEY.

THIS IS WHAT YOU SAID IN AN INTERVIEW BACK IN MAY.

>> I'VE ACTUALLY HAD SOME GREAT CONVERSATIONS WITH SENATOR HAWLEY LATELY.

>> THAT'S AN INTERESTING RELATIONSHIP.

SOME PEOPLE WERE SURPRISED WITH THAT.

TELL ME HOW THAT RELATIONSHIP START.

>> DAVE: ONE THING, WE'RE ACTUALLY NOT THAT FAR APART IN AGE AND PROFESSIONAL BACKGROUND, SO THAT MIGHT HELP A LITTLE.

FRANKLY, I HAVE APPRECIATED HOW HE'S ADDRESSED SOME ISSUES IN A CLEAR WAY.

>> NICK: DO YOU STILL FEEL THAT WAY?

>> LOOK, I STAND BY MY STATEMENTS BEFORE.

HE WITH WORKED TOGETHER ON CERTAIN AFFORDABLE HOUSING ISSUES, MAKING SURE THAT ABSENTEE LANDLORDS, ABUSE OF LANDLORDS ARE DEALT WITH UNDER FEDERAL LAW.

I COMMEND THE SENATOR FOR THAT.

I HAVE INCREDIBLE DISAGREEMENT WITH THE SENATOR'S ACTIONS IN THE EARLY MONTH OF JANUARY, AND I THINK THAT I MADE THAT CLEAR AS WELL.

IT'S A SHAME THAT PEOPLE DON'T DO EVERYTHING YOU LIKE, BUT I THINK THE SENATOR DOES NEED TO ACCOUNT FOR HIS ACTIONS THAT WERE NOT IN THE BEST INTEREST OF MISSOURI AND HELPED TEAR THIS COUNTRY APART.

>> NICK: AS MAYOR, YOU'RE NEVER OUT OF THE HEADLINES.

LET'S TICK OFF SOME OF THE THINGS YOU'VE BEEN INVOLVED IN IN THE LAST WEEK.

ONE WAS, YOU WERE TURNING THE KANSAS CITY CONVENTION CENTER INTO A HOMELESS SHELTER.

MANY PEOPLE THINK THAT'S REMARKABLE, THAT THOSE WHO HAVE BEEN MARGINALIZED AND FORGOTTEN ABOUT ARE GIVEN ONE OF THE CROWN JEWELS IN KANSAS CITY.

BUT A LOT OF THE HEADLINES WERE NEGATIVE.

WE HAVE PARTNER LEAVING THE EFFORT BECAUSE THEY'RE CONCERNED ABOUT SECURITY.

THE BLACK PANTHER REVOLUTIONARY PARTY WAS PROVISION 24/7 PROTECTION AND THAT WAS CAUSING PEOPLE TO BE CONCERNED.

>> WE ARE ANTI-COP ORGANIZATION.

THAT'S OUR CULTURE.

THE REVOLUTIONARY BLACK PANTHER PARTY WILL BE PROVIDING SECURITY.

>> NICK: HAS THAT MADE YOU RETHINK WHAT YOU'RE DOING THERE AT THE CONVENTION CENTER?

>> NO, ABSOLUTELY NOT.

FIRST OF ALL, SOME OF THAT IS FALSE, AND SOME OF IT IS ACTUALLY JUST MORE KIND OF THE THINGS YOU SEE ON FACEBOOK OR SOCIAL MEDIA.

KANSAS CITY, WE ARE A GOVERNMENT WITH A HEART.

WE HAVE NEEDS THAT ARE SERVED FOR OUR HOMELESS POPULATION IN KANSAS CITY, AND FRANKLY HELP OUT THE ENTIRE REGION.

THAT'S WHY WE HAVE THE WARMING CENTER AT BARTLE HALL.

THAT'S WHY WE WILL CONTINUE TO INVEST IN PERMANENT HOUSING OPPORTUNITIES FOR THOSE EXPERIENCING HOMELESSNESS.

I STAND BY IT.

WE'RE PROUD OF IT.

WE HAVE PRIVATE SECURITY AT BARTLE HALL.

KANSAS CITY GOVERNMENT HAS ALWAYS.

YOU HAVE TO BE LICENSED TO PROVIDE SECURITY IN KANSAS CITY, AND WE ARE WORKING WITH FOLKS.

ANYONE WHO CARES ABOUT TAKING CARE OF OUR HOMELESS POPULATION, THAT'S WHY WE'RE TAKING THESE STEPS.

IT'S NOT EASY.

IT IS DIFFICULT.

WE'RE SEEING THAT EACH AND EVERY DAY, BUT WE KNEW THAT WHEN WE WENT INTO IT, AND WE WILL CONTINUE TO BE A PLACE THAT'S HUMANE AND FINDING OPPORTUNITIES SO PEOPLE AREN'T OUT ON THE STREETS ON A 2-DEGREE NIGHT.

>> NICK: AFFORDABLE HOUSING HAS BEEN A BIG ISSUE FOR YOU FROM DAY ONE, AND LAST WEEK, THE CITY COUNCIL UNANIMOUSLY SUPPORTED A MEASURE THAT WILL DENY ANY TAX INCENTIVES TO HOUSING DEVELOPERS WHO ARE NOT GOING TO SET ASIDE AT LEAST 20% OF THEIR HOUSING UNITS TO THOSE WHO ARE IN LOWER INCOME.

I DID SEE THAT THEIR DEVELOPERS ARE COMPLAINING.

THIS IS GOING TO MEAN LESS HOUSING.

THIS IS GOING TO DESTROY DEVELOPMENT IN KANSAS CITY.

ARE YOU CONCERNED THAT THIS ACTUALLY WILL HAVE A BACK-FIRE EFFECT ON YOU?

>> OBVIOUSLY NOT.

LOOK, WE HAVE HEARD THE SKY IS FALLING EVERY TIME WE THINK ABOUT IN SOME WAY NARROWING AND IMPLEMENT WILLING THE SPIGOT OF INCENTIVES.

THEY'RE NOT AN ENTITLEMENT.

WE NEED TO SEE THAT KANSAS CITIANS CAN SEE WE'RE DEVELOPING AFFORDABLE HOUSING, KANSAS CITIANS CAN ALSO SEE WE CARE ABOUT PEOPLE FROM ALL NEIGHBORHOODS.

THIS CANNOT BE A STORY OF PROGRESS JUST DOWNTOWN, IN THE CROSSROADS OR ON THE PLAZA.

IT NEEDS TO BE SOMETHING THE WHOLE COMMUNITY CAN TOUCH.

THAT'S WHY I'M PROUD WE WERE ABLE TO SEE UNANIMOUS SUPPORT AS WELL, AND THAT IS WITH A VERY DIVERSE CITY COUNCIL, DIFFERENT VIEWS, DIFFERENT PLACES.

WE UNDERSTAND FAIRNESS.

>> IT'S GOING TO LEAD TO DISINVESTMENT, LESS HOUSING, FEWER JOBS, THIS IS GOING TO BE DISASTROUS, SOME DEVELOPERS SAY.

IS THAT WORTH THE SENTIMENT WHEN THE CITY COUNCIL TAKES UP REFORMING ALL TAX INCENTIVES?

>> I'VE HEARD TIME AND AGAIN, AND I KNOW YOU'VE COVERED KANSAS CITY FOR SOME TIME AS WELL, PEOPLE SAY WE NEED TO FIND A RIGHT BALANCE.

MY PREDECESSORS OF A FEW MAYORS AGO, MAYOR BARNES, CERTAINLY WAS RIGHT TO SAY WE NEED MORE POPULATION DOWNTOWN, MORE REJUVENATION.

THAT WAS THE POLICY.

WHAT IS THE POLICY TODAY?

IT NEEDS TO BE EQUITABLE, AFFORDABLE HOUSING, ATTRACTING JOBS EVERYONE CAN HAVE OPPORTUNITIES FOR.

THAT IS OUR NEW WAY OF ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT.

THAT'S WHAT EVERY OTHER MAJOR CITY IN AMERICA IS DOING, AND I THINK JUST BASICALLY THE TAXPAYERS ARE SAYING, WE PAY OUR TAXES.

LET'S MAKE SURE THAT EVERYBODY HAS GOT A FAIR SHAKE, WE'RE TAKING CARE OF OUR SCHOOLS AND WE'RE DOING WHAT'S RIGHT.

>> NICK: BUSINESSES SAY -- THAT IS ALSO TAKING PLACE WITH COVID RESTRICTIONS.

WE SEE A LAWSUIT FILED AGAINST YOU NOW BY O'DOWD'S, THE IRISH PUB ON THE COUNTRY CLUB PLAZA THAT SAY THAT IT IS OUT OF BALANCE AND THAT CASINOS AND CONVENIENCE STORES ALL GET TO SERVE FOOD LATE AT NIGHT, AND THEY ARE BEING UNFAIRLY TARGETED.

>> YOU KNOW, FIRST OF ALL, I WOULD HOPE THAT O'DOWD'S DOESN'T COMPARE THEIR ENTERTAINMENT IN THEIR ESTABLISHMENT TO A CONVENIENCE STORE.

YOU HAVE DIFFERENT THINGS GOING ON.

THE CONVENIENCE STORE, I ASSUME YOU'RE NOT PARTYING AROUND OTHER PEOPLE, OPEN CONTAINERS, ALCOHOLIC DRUNKS.

THESE SUITS HAVE BEEN FILED REPEATEDLY AGAINST KANSAS CITY, JACKSON COUNTY, ST. LOUIS COUNTY, AND IN FACT, ALL HAVE BEEN REJECTED.

THIS CASE WILL FOLLOW THAT SAME PATH.

I WOULD THINK INSTEAD OF THAT O'DOWD'S WOULD WORK WITH US INSTEAD OF SPENDING MONEY ON THINGS LIKE LAWSUITS.

SPEND MONEY ON THINGS LIKE PAYING THEM DURING THESE TIMES THAT ARE STRUGGLING.

THAT'S THE SORT OF WORK WE'RE LOOKING FORWARD TO.

WE STAND BY OUR ORDERS.

WE HAVE KEPT PEOPLE SAFER IN KANSAS CITY.

I'M VERY PROUD OF THAT.

>> NICK: BUT A MONTH AGO, WHEN THE FIRST LAWSUIT WAS FILED BY A BUSINESS ON THE SAME ARGUMENTS, VERY SHORTLY AFTER THAT, THOUGH, THAT CHANGES WERE MADE.

YOU DID ALLOW RESTAURANTS AND BARS TO STAY OPEN LATER.

ARE YOU CONSIDERING NEW CHANGES NOW AS A RESULT OF THIS LAWSUIT?

>> NOT AT ALL.

WE DON'T MAKE CHANGES BASED ON LAWSUITS.

WE MAKE CHANGES BASED ON HEALTH AND SCIENCE.

FORMER PRESIDENT TRUMP'S WHITE HOUSE RECOMMENDED TO ALL OF US AROUND THE COUNTRY LIMITING BAR HOURS, LIMITING CAPACITY.

THAT HAS BEEN CONSISTENT IN THE BIDEN ADMINISTRATION.

WE FOLLOW THE DIRECTIVES THAT WE GET FROM THE WHITE HOUSE, FROM THE CDC, FROM STATE HEALTH AND FROM OUR OWN HEALTH DEPARTMENT, AND THOSE HOW THESE DECISIONS ARE MADE, NOT LAWSUITS.

>> NICK: YOU ARE GOING TO BE FREE FROM TACKLING THOSE TYPES OF ISSUES FOR A FEW HOURS AS YOU HEAD TO TAMPA FOR THE SUPER BOWL.

WE VERY MUCH APPRECIATE YOU COMING IN HERE BEFORE YOU LEAVE TO GO TO THAT BIG GAME.

SAFE TRAVELS, MAYOR QUINTON LUCAS.

>> THANK YOU.

CHIEFS.

>> NEXT UP, MAHONEY AND HELLING NEXT ON KANSAS CITY WEEK IN REVIEW.

>> NICK: THIS WEEK, UNION STATION ONE OF THE EPICENTERS FOR KANSAS CITY'S EXCITEMENT AHEAD OF THE BIG GAME.

SOME SAY PATRICK MAHOMES IS THE GREATEST OF ALL TIME, OR THE GOAT, AS IT'S OFTEN REFERRED TO.

BUT WOULD YOU WAIT IN A REALLY LONG TIME AND PAY FOR THE PRIVILEGE OF HAVING A PHOTO OF YOURSELF WITH A GOAT WEARING A MAHOMES JERSEY?

I'M NOT HERE TO JUDGE, BUT JUST A SNAPSHOT OF LIFE IN KC JUST AHEAD OF THE SUPER BOWL THIS WEEKEND.

WITH ME NOW ARE PERHAPS THE ONLY TWO REPORTERS IN KANSAS CITY WHO HAVE NOT BEEN SENT TO TAMPA THIS WEEK.

THEY ARE THE KANSAS CITY STAR'S DAVE HELLING AND KMBC 9 CHIEF POLITICAL REPORTER MICHAEL MAHONEY.

YOUR BOSSES DIDN'T WANT YOU ANYWHERE NEAR THE BIG GAME?

>> WE'VE GOT PLENTY OF PEOPLE TO DO THAT.

I GET TO FOLLOW POLITICIANS THROUGH THE SNOW INSTEAD.

>> IF IT'S OKAY WITH YOU, I WANT TO MOVE FROM TOPEKA TO JEFFERSON CITY AND BACK HOME AS WE POUR THROUGH THE WEEK'S OTHER HEADLINES.

AS MAYOR LUCAS IS ON THE MISSOURI SIDE.

LET'S START IN KANSAS WHERE GOVERNOR LAURA KELLY IS SHAKING UP THE DEBATE ON TWO BIG ISSUES THIS WEEK.

SHE WANTS TO MAKE KANSAS THE FIRST STATE IN THE NATION TO FUND MEDICAID EXPANSION BY LEGALIZING MEDICAL MARIJUANA.

>> WE HAVE JUST DESIGNED A BILL THAT PAYS FOR ITSELF AND MORE, AND I THINK IT ELIMINATES THE ARGUMENT THAT WE CANNOT AFFORD IT.

>> NICK: EVEN THOUGH SHE'S GOVERNOR, KELLY CAN'T DO THAT BY HERSELF.

HOW HAVE REPUBLICAN LEADERS IN THE LEGISLATURE RESPONDED TO THE MOVE, DAVE?

>> BY THE WAY, JUST FOR THE RECORD, MICHEAL MAHONEY IS THE GOAL.

SO LET'S JUST GET THAT ON THE RECORD RIGHT NOW.

NO.

REPUBLICANS IN TOPEKA ARE NOT HAPPY WITH THIS PROPOSAL FROM THE GOVERNOR.

THEY DON'T LIKE THE IDEA OF MEDICAL MARIJUANA AS A STAND-ALONE ISSUE.

THEY'RE NOT ENTHUSIASTIC AT ALL ABOUT EXPANDING MEDICAID UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES.

THIS IS MUCH MORE ABOUT POLITICS, I THINK, NICK, THAN A REAL CHANCE OF BECOMING POLICY, BECAUSE I THINK THE GOVERNOR THINKS HER ROAD TO REELECTION IS PUSHING MEDICAID EXPANSION, AND SHE HAS GIVEN REPUBLICANS IN THE LEGISLATURE EVERY OPPORTUNITY TO COME UP WITH SOME FORMULA TO GET IT DONE.

THEY'VE REFUSED TO DO SO.

SO I THINK THIS IS MUCH MORE ABOUT THE POLITICAL MESSAGE THAN IT IS ABOUT A REALISTIC CHANCE TO DO EITHER OF THESE THINGS THIS YEAR.

>> I SHOULD POINT OUT, FIRST OF ALL, THAT KANSAS IS ONLY ONE OF THREE STATES THAT HASN'T BUDGED AT ALL ON THE MARIJUANA ISSUE, ONE OF 12 THAT REFUSED TO APPROVE MEDICAID EXPANSION.

THE GOVERNOR SAYS BOTH OF THOSE ARE POLLING AT OVER 70% IN KANSAS, MICHAEL.

>> YEAH.

AND WE'LL SEE.

THEY THINK THEY HAVE ANSWERED THEIR MAIN QUESTION OF THE OBJECTIVES HERE, WHERE IS THE MONEY GOING TO COME FROM.

THEY THINK 50 MILLION A YEAR FORWARD WOULD PAID FOR THAT.

THEY SAY THEY SET ASIDE MONEY FOR MEDICAID IN THIS BUDGET.

>> NICK: NOW, HERE UNDER PRESSURE IN TWO DIFFERENT AREAS THIS WEEK, GOVERNOR LAURA KELLY, TAKING HEAT FROM REPUBLICAN LEADERS FOR GIVING PRISON INMATES THE VACCINE WELL AHEAD OF THE REST OF THE POPULATION.

SHE'S ALSO UNDER FIRE FOR WHAT'S HAPPENING IN HER LABOR DEPARTMENT.

THE STATE'S OFFICIAL WEBSITE FOR UNEMPLOYMENT CLAIMS WERE SHUT DOWN AFTER SUCH WIDESPREAD FRAUD.

KANSAS WAS REPORTING MORE PEOPLE CLAIMING UNEMPLOYMENT THAN HUGE STATES LIKE CALIFORNIA, NEW YORK AND TEXAS.

AND THERE ARE SOME REPORTS KANSAS HAS PAID UPWARDS OF $400 MILLION ON THESE FALSE CLAIMS.

I HAVE TO SAY I HAVE BEEN ONE OF THOSE CAUGHT UP IN THAT FRAUD.

OUR HR DEPARTMENT NOTIFYING ME IN JUST THE LAST FEW DAYS THAT SOMEONE WAS TRYING TO CLAIM UNEMPLOYMENT BENEFITS USING MY NAME.

BUT IS THAT PROBLEM NOW SOLVED IT'S A WE END THIS WEEK TOGETHER, DAVE?

>> WE DON'T KNOW FOR SURE.

YESTERDAY THE GOVERNOR'S OFFICE CLAIMED THAT SOME 600,000 ATTEMPTS WERE MADE TO LOG IN, FRAUDULENT ATTEMPTS TO LOG IN TO THE STATE'S UNEMPLOYMENT WEBSITE, WHICH UNDERWENT, NICK, AN OVERHAUL, AS YOU KNOW, OVER THE WEEKEND.

THIS IS A REAL ACHILLES HEEL FOR GOVERNOR KELLY AND HER ADMINISTRATION.

THE UNEMPLOYMENT SYSTEM IS REALLY MISSED UP.

NOW, KANSAS ISN'T ALONE.

THERE ARE REPORTS OF BILLIONS OF DOLLARS OF FRAUD IN CALIFORNIA AND OTHER STATES.

BUT ONE OF THE THINGS THAT DEMOCRATS OFTEN RUN ON IS SORT OF GOOD ADMINISTRATION, WE MAKE THE TRAINS RUN ON TIME, AND UNEMPLOYMENT INSURANCE HAS BEEN MESSED UP IN KANSAS FOR ALMOST A YEAR WITH NO END IN SIGHT.

I THINK THAT'S ONE OF THE BIG ISSUES REPUBLICANS WILL HAVE AS THEY GO AT HER.

>> SHE IS RUNNING FOR REELECTION NEXT YEAR, MICHAEL MAHONEY.

WITH ISSUES LIKE THIS, DOES THIS MEAN SHE'S IN TROUBLE?

>> FIRST TERM GOVERNOR, DEMOCRATIC GOVERNOR IN A STATE LIKE KANSAS WOULD ALWAYS BE IN TROUBLE.

THE DEPARTMENT OF LABOR'S SNAFU ON UNEMPLOYMENT BENEFITS IS DEFINITELY GOING TO BE A CAMPAIGN ISSUE.

>> NICK: I HAVEN'T SEEN ANY REPUBLICAN, THOUGH, COME FORWARD AT THIS POINT AND SAY, I'M GOING TO BE RUNNING AGAINST LAURA KELLY THIS YEAR, ALTHOUGH I DO SEE A HUGE LIST OF POTENTIAL NAMES FROM MIKE POMPEO TO FORMER GOVERNOR JEFF COLYER.

DERRICK SCHMIDT IS ON THAT LIST.

ROGER THE PLUMBER, HE MAY BE COMING BACK AGAIN.

>> YOU CAN TAKE THAT LIST AND WHACK ALL THE NAMES OFF OF IT BUT TWO, COLYER AND SCHMIDT.

I DON'T THINK ANYBODY ELSE IS GOING TO GET INTO THAT RACE OF ANY SERIOUS CONSEQUENCE, AND CERTAINLY NOT MIKE POMPEO.

HE'S STAYING IN WASHINGTON.

HE'S CREATING A THINK-TANK.

HE'S GOT HIS EYES ON TRYING TO RUN FOR PRESIDENT IN '24.

>> LET ME QUICKLY SAY THAT I THINK SUE WAGLE MIGHT GET IN AS WELL.

I DO THINK THERE WILL BE SOME PUSH TO NOMINATE A WOMAN TO RUN AGAINST LAURA KELLY BECAUSE OF THEIR PROBLEMS IN THE SUBURBS.

BUT MIKE IS EXACTLY RIGHT.

MIKE POMPEO ISN'T GOING TO RUN.

KRIS KOBACH ISN'T GOING TO RUN.

IT'S DERRICK SCHMIDT, JEFF COLYER AND MAYBE SUE WAGLE.

>> NICK: LET'S MOVE OVER TO MISSOURI NOW.

GOVERNOR MIKE PARSON ALWAYS SEEMS LIKE A MILD MANNERED MAN, BUT APPARENTLY HE'S NOW REALLY ANGRY.

HE SENDS A LETTER THIS WEEK TO LEADERS OF HIS OWN PARTY IN THE MISSOURI HOUSE FOR LAUNCHING WHAT HE CALLS A DISGUSTING SCHEME TO PUBLICLY EMBARRASS HIM, AND ALL BECAUSE THE HOUSE REFUSED TO LET HIM DELIVER THE STATE OF THE STATE IN THEIR CHAMBER LAST WEEK, PUSHING PARSON OVER TO THE SMALLER SENATE CHAMBER INSTEAD.

AND THAT'S WHAT CONSTITUTION A DISGUSTING SCHEME?

IS THERE MORE TO IT THAN THAT?

>> YEAH, THERE IS.

THE GOVERNOR'S OFFICE HAS SOME OTHER DISAGREEMENTS WITH REPUBLICAN LEGISLATORS IN MISSOURI THAT DATE BACK.

THEY'VE GOT A SERIOUS DISAGREEMENT OF THE ROLE OF THE GOVERNOR AND ROLE OF THE LEGISLATURE HERE.

>> NICK, LET'S PAUSE FOR A MOMENT.

THIS LETTER WAS ABSOLUTELY EXTRAORDINARY.

MIKE IS RIGHT.

THERE IS A GREAT HISTORY OF THE TUG OF WAR BETWEEN THE GOVERNOR AND THE LEGISLATURE EVEN WHEN ONE PARTY CONTROLS BOTH, BUT TO PUT IT IN WRITING IN THIS WAY?

TYPICALLY THE GOVERNOR WOULD WRITE THAT LETTER, PUT IT IN A DRAWER AND YELL AT THE SPEAKER PRIVATELY.

TO MAKE IT PUBLIC IS GOING TO MAKE IT MORE DIFFICULT FOR THE GOVERNOR GOING FORWARD, PARTICULARLY IN THE HOUSE, MAYBE SENATE AS WELL, AND WILL BRING HIM FEWER VICTORIES THAN HE MIGHT HAVE OTHERWISE GOT FROM THIS VETO PROOF MAJORITY IN BOTH HOUSES OF THE LEGISLATOR.

>> NICK: THE VACCINE ROLLOUT CONTINUES TO BE AN ISSUE IN MISSOURI.

THE JACKSON COUNTY HEALTH DEPARTMENT SAYS LAST WEEK THE STATE DID NOT SHIP ANY VACCINE TO THE COUNTY, ZERO.

THIS WEEK, TRUMAN MEDICAL CENTER HAD TO CANCEL APPOINTMENTS AFTER IT RAN OUT OF THE RACK SEEN ON MONDAY.

A SPOKESPERSON FOR THE GOVERNOR MIKE PARSON SAYS IT'S A SUPPLY AND DEMAND ISSUE.

IS THERE ANY EVIDENCE THAT SUPPLY AND DEMAND IS GETTING BETTER AS WE END THIS WEEK TOGETHER, MICHAEL?

>> NO, THERE IS NOT.

IN FACT, WHEN THE MAYOR CREATED HIS TASK FORCE ON VACCINATION, THAT REALLY WAS A STATEMENT THAT WAS SAYING, LOOK, WE'RE NOT GETTING ENOUGH, AND WE'VE GOT TO FIGURE OUT A WAY TO GET MORE IN HERE AND THE SUPPLY THAT WE DO HAVE HAS TO BE DISTRIBUTED SO THE FOLKS THAT ARE HIT HARDEST WITH THIS VIRUS ARE GETTING THE SHOTS.

VACCINE SUPPLY IS ONE OF THE DOMINANT STORIES FOR THE FIRST PART OF THIS YEAR.

>> ALSO ONE OF THE STORIES OF NOTE THIS WEEK, DAVE, IS THAT THE VACCINE WOULD BE AVAILABLE FOR THE REST OF US, FOR ALL OF US.

IT SEEMS TO BE SLIPPING AGAIN.

I SEE DR. REX ARCHER, THE PUBLIC HEALTH DIRECTOR IN KANSAS CITY SAYING THAT'S NOW UNLIKELY TO HAPPEN UNTIL THE END OF MAY AT THE EARLIEST.

SO WHAT DOES THAT MEAN FOR ALL OF OUR PLANS FOR IN-PERSON CONCERTS, FOR PLAYS, FESTIVALS, PARADES?

>> IT GOES BACK.

IT PUSHES IT BACK.

AND AGAIN, NICK, WE'VE TALKED ABOUT THIS ON YOUR SHOW REPEATEDLY.

IT ISN'T JUST BECAUSE OF THE GOVERNOR OR THE MAYORS IN THE CITIES MIGHT DO OR HEALTH DEPARTMENTS.

PEOPLE ARE GOING TO -- AREN'T GOING TO GO TO CONCERTS OR OUT TO EAT UNTIL THEY THINK THEY ARE REASONABLY SAFE.

WITHOUT A WIDESPREAD INOCULATION PROGRAM, THAT'S GOING TO BE DIFFICULT.

IN MISSOURI, THE GOVERNOR THIS WEEK ANNOUNCED A PLAN FOR MASS VACCINATION EVENTS TO BE HELD IN SOME CITIES ACROSS THE STATE, AND KANSAS CITY AND ST. LOUIS WERE COMPLETELY LEFT OFF THE LIST.

THAT'S PRESUMABLY BECAUSE THERE ARE HOSPITALS HERE THAT CAN DISTRIBUTE THE VACCINE BUT THE OPTICS OF THAT ARE HORRIBLE THAT RURAL AREAS WOULD FIND A WAY TO HAVE RESISTED COVID RESTRICTIONS AND SUDDENLY GETTING MORE PRIORITY FOR THE VACCINE.

>> NICK: LET'S STICK WITH MISSOURI FOR A MOMENT AS WE ASK THE QUESTION, IS THERE NO SUCH THING AS BAD PRESS?

APPARENTLY MISSOURI SENATOR JOSH HAWLEY IS RAKING IN THE CASH.

HIS CAMPAIGN JUST REPORTED THE BIGGEST FUNDRAISING MONTH SINCE BEING ELECTED WITH A FLOOD OF DONATIONS THAT SOME REPORTS CLAIM IS FAR MORE THAN THE CORPORATE MONEY HE LOST AFTER LEADING THE EFFORT TO BLOCK THE ELECTORAL COLLEGE VOTE.

HAWLEY BY THE WAY IS NOW THE ONLY SENATOR IN THE COUNTRY TO HAVE VOTED AGAINST EVERY SINGLE ONE OF PRESIDENT BIDEN'S CABINET NOMINEES.

DOES THAT MAKE HIM, AS FORBES MAGAZINE CLAIMS, THE BIDEN ADMINISTRATION'S SINGLE MOST VOCAL OPPONENT ON CAPITOL HILL?

>> HE'S CERTAINLY IN THE STARTING 5.

THE HAWLEY CAMPAIGN, VERY COMFORTABLE WHERE THEY'RE AT POLITICALLY IN THE STATE OF MISSOURI, EVEN MORE SO ON THE NATIONAL STAGE.

HE'S GOT HEADLINES NOW HE'S NEVER HAD IN HIS CAREER.

>> WHAT ARE THE RISKS AND REWARDS THERE FOR HIM TAKING THAT POSITION, DAVE?

>> THE RISK IS THAT PICTURE OF HIM WITH A RAISED FIST WILL BE USED REPEATEDLY BY HIS OPPONENTS BOTH IN MISSOURI AND NATIONWIDE IF AND WHEN HE DECIDES TO RUN FOR PRESIDENT.

IT'S CLEAR -- TWO THINGS ARE CLEAR TO ME, NICK, FIRST, HE ISN'T BACKING DOWN.

MIKE'S INTERVIEW SHOWS THAT, OTHERS AS WELL.

SECOND, HIS PROTESTATIONS THAT HE'S NOT RUNNING FOR PRESIDENT ARE GOING TO FALL ON DEAF EARS.

HE REALLY WANTS TO CHANGE THE SUBJECT.

HE'S PUT OUT RELEASES AND TWEETS ON A WHOLE RANGE OF CONCERNS NOW, BIG TECH, THE BUDGET AND FOOD AND SCHOOLS.

BUT THAT INCIDENT ON JANUARY 6th WILL STICK TO HIM, AND I POINT VIEWERS TO THAT EXTRAORDINARY INTERVIEW THAT JACK DANFORTH DID WITH JUDY YESTERDAY, WHY JACK DANFORTH IS WELL KNOWN IN THE STATE OF MISSOURI AND EVISCERATED REPUBLICANS AND JOSH HAWLEY AND THEIR ACTIONS.

>> NICK: LET'S MOVE BACK TO KANSAS CITY REAL QUICKLY.

QUINTON LUCAS SLAPPED WITH A LAWSUIT FROM O'DOWD'S, THE MAYOR JUST A FEW MINUTES AGO DOWNPLAYING WITH WHAT THIS MEANS.

BEHIND THE SCENES, IS THERE MORE CONCERN ABOUT THIS OR IS THERE NOTHING TO LOSE SLEEP OVER?

>> I DON'T THINK THE LUCAS ADMINISTRATION IS GOING TO LOSE SLEEP OVER THIS.

THEY FEEL LIKE THEY'RE ON GOOD LEGAL GROUNDS WITH THEIR EMERGENCY ORDERS.

ONE OTHER SUIT DOESN'T GO VERY FAR.

THEY DON'T THINK THIS ONE IS GOING TO GO VERY FAR.

BUT CLEARLY THERE IS A LARGE SENSE OF FRUSTRATION IN THE ENTERTAINMENT INDUSTRY AND THE RESTAURANT AND BARS ABOUT HOW THEY ARE HAVING TO SUFFER FOR THIS, AND THEY ARE TAKING ECONOMIC HITS.

TR'S NO QUESTION ABOUT THAT.

BUT THE ALTERNATIVE OF HAVING RESTAURANTS AND BARS FULL OVER THE HOLIDAYS OR DURING BIG FOOTBALL GAMES IS AN UNTENABLE POSITION.

>> NICK: SO HE SHOULDN'T BE THINKING ABOUT THIS WHILE HE'S AT THE SUPER BOWL?

>> NO.

HE SHOULD BE THINKING ABOUT IT NOT BECAUSE OF THE LAWSUIT BUT THE MISSOURI LEGISLATURE WHICH IS THINKING ABOUT REMOVING LOCAL AUTHORITY TO MAKE DECISIONS LIKE THIS.

THEY'RE MOSTLY UPSET IN ST. LOUIS, BUT KANSAS CITY WOULD BE CAUGHT IN THAT SAME NET.

AFTER SCREAMING FOR LOCAL CONTROL OVER THE LENGTH OF THE PANDEMIC, SUDDENLY MINDS ARE CHANGING IN JEFF CITY, AND THAT'S REALLY WHERE THE DANGER LIES IN TERMS OF THE MAYOR'S POWER.

>> NICK: ON THAT WE WILL SAY OUR WEEK HAS BEEN REVIEWED.

DAVE HELLING AND MICHEAL MAHONEY, THANK YOU SO MUCH.

AND THANK YOU FROM ALL OF US HERE AT YOUR SUPER BOWL COUNTER PROGRAMMING STATION, WHERE WE'RE PROUD TO BRING YOU A BINGE OF THOUGHTS, BRITISH DRAMAS AND POLICE INDUSTRIES SUNDAY NIGHT WHEN THE CHIEFS TAKE THE FIELD.

I KNOW YOU'LL BE JOINING US FOR THAT.

AND YOU WON'T MISS ANYTHING.

THE KANSAS CITY STAR WILL HAVE THE FINAL SCORE IN THE PAPER ON MONDAY MORNING, RIGHT, DAVE?

>> THAT'S RIGHT.

>> NICK: THAT'S IT.

I'M NICK HAINES.

KEEP CALM AND CARRY ON.

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