>> NICK: THIS WEEK YOUR HANDY DANDY ELECTION GUIDE AHEAD OF TUESDAY'S ELECTION, WHAT YOU DIDN'T KNOW THERE WAS ONE?

WELL, WE HAVE YOUR BACK.

ALSO THIS HALF HOUR, THE BIG CLASH OVER MASK MANDATES IN KANSAS AND THE BIG CLASH IN MISSOURI OVER VOTER APPROVED MEDICAID EXPANSION.

>> PEOPLE IN THIS STATE WILL DIE IF WE DO NOT EXPAND FUNDING FOR MEDICAID.

>> THIS IS THE LEFT'S OVER-INDULGENCE IN A ROBINHOOD COMPLEX, CONSTANTLY TRYING TO TAKE FROM THOSE WHO HAVE EARNED TO GIVE AWAY THOSE WHO HAVE NOT.

>> NICK: PLUS, HOW IS THE VACCINE ROLLOUT WORKING FOR YOU?

>> I THINK THE WAY THE VACCINATION PROGRAM HAS BEEN HANDLED BORDERS ON CRIMINAL.

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

THANK YOU.

>> NICK: HELLO.

WELCOME.

I'M NICK HAINES.

A BUMPER SIZED PANEL THIS WEEK FOR A BUMPER SIZED WEEK OF NEWS.

CHECKING IN WITH US ON THE BIG SCREEN, FOX 4 NEWS PROBLEM SOLVER LINDA WAGAR, FROM KCMO TALK RADIO, PETE MUNDO, KCUR CONTRIBUTING REPORTER LYNN HORSLEY AND EDITOR OF THE CALL NEWSPAPER, ERIC WESSON.

IT'S ELECTION DAY ON TUESDAY.

DURING LAST NOVEMBER'S PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION, VOTER TURNOUT TOPPED 80% IN SOME PARTS OF OUR METRO.

HOW MANY PEOPLE WILL SHOW UP FOR NEXT TUESDAY'S LOCAL ELECTIONS, ERIC?

>> IF WE GET 8%, I WILL BE REALLY SURPRISED.

I'M GOING TO SAY BETWEEN 8 AND 10% OF REGISTERED VOTERS, AND IT WON'T BE VERY HIGH IN THE BLACK COMMUNITY.

WE DON'T REALLY ENGAGE THAT MUCH IN SCHOOL BOARD RACES.

EVEN THOUGH THE EARNEST TAX IS ON THERE, I THINK MOST PEOPLE THINK IT'S A DONE DEAL.

>> NICK: BUT LINDA, THIS IS ACTUALLY THE BUILDING BLOCKS OF OUR DEMOCRACY, YET MOST MEMBERS OF OUR CREW HERE WEREN'T EVEN AWARE THERE WAS AN ELECTION.

HOW CAN THAT BE?

>> I KNOW.

BESIDES THAT LITTLE CARD YOU GET IN THE MAIL, THERE IS NOT A LOT OF ADVERTISING, THESE ARE LOW BUDGET RACES.

YEAH, PEOPLE AREN'T AWARE OF IT.

>> NICK: I SHOULD POINT OUT THAT IF YOU LIVE IN KANSAS, LOCAL ELECTION RACES WERE MOVED BY STATE LAW TO THE NOVEMBER BALLOT.

SO YOU HAVE NOTHING TO DECIDE NEXT WEEK.

BUT YOU DO HAVE A MAJOR STAKE IN THE OUTCOME.

ON THE BALLOT TUESDAY IS THE 1% EARNINGS TAX THAT ANYONE WHO WORKS IN KANSAS CITY, MISSOURI HAS TO PAY, EACH IF YOU JUST COMMUTE IN TO THE CITY FROM LENEXA, LEAWOOD OR LEE'S SUMMIT.

THIS IS A SIZABLE AMOUNT OF MONEY.

WHAT DOES KANSAS CITY DO WITH IT, LYNN?

>> WELL, THIS IS A HUGE PART OF KANSAS CITY'S BUDGET.

IT'S ABOUT $270 MILLION.

IT GOES FOR POLICE, FIRE, AMBULANCE, TRASH COLLECTION.

THERE IS A PORTION OF THE EARNINGS TAX EARMARKED FOR ROAD MAINTENANCE.

IT'S REALLY BASIC SERVICES.

>> NICK: IN THE PAST, PETE MUNDO, WE'VE HAD LOTS OF DEBATES EVEN ON THIS PROGRAM WITH OPPONENTS OF THE TAX AND WE WOULD GET A LOT OF MAILERS AGAINST THE TAX.

WHERE ON THE OPPONENTS?

>> THEY DON'T EXIST, NICK.

THAT'S WHY THIS THING IS GOING TO PASS WITH FLYING COLORS.

THERE WERE SOME RUMBLINGS I HEARD THAT MAYBE IF THE FRATERNAL ORDER OF POLICE GOT ANNOYED ENOUGH WITH THE CITY COUNCIL THEY WOULD CAMPAIGN AGAINST IT.

BUT EVEN THEY KNEW THIS WOULD IMPACT THEM DRASTICALLY WITHOUT THE EARNINGS TAX AS THE CITY AS SET UP RIGHT NOW.

EVERYBODY HAS BEEN RELATIVE QUIET EYED ON THE OPPOSITION SIDE OF THIS.

ONLY HEATHER HALL OF THE NORTHLAND HAS SAID SHE WON'T ADVOCATE FOR OR AGAINST IT.

THAT'S THE MOST OPPOSITION THERE IS OF NOTE.

THE THING IS GOING TO PASS WITH FLYING COLORS.

VOTER TURNOUT WILL BOW LOW.

JUST TO ADD TO ERIC, IT IS DISAPPOINTING THAT OVER THE PAST YEAR, WE HAVE LEARNED THAT OUR LOCAL CITY COUNCIL OFFICIALS AND SCHOOL BOARDS PLAY A HUGE ROLE IN OUR DAY TO DAY LIVES, AND AFTER THIS PAST YEAR, WE CAN'T DEBT A DECENT TURNOUT, WHICH WE PROBABLY WON'T FOR THE ELECTION ON TUESDAY IS, TO ME, VERY DISAPPOINTING.

WE KNOW THESE PEOPLE IMPACT OUR LIVES OFTENTIMES MORE THAN LOSING THE WHITE HOUSE.

>> NICK: I SEE BY STATE LAW IF THIS DOES NOT GET PASSED ON TUESDAY, IT ONLY GOES DOWN 0.1% A YEAR UNTIL IT GETS TO ZERO.

SO THE CITY WOULD HAVE TEN YEARS TO COME UP WITH A SOLUTION, AN ALTERNATIVE TO THIS FUNDING.

>> WELL, THAT'S TRUE.

IT WOULD PHASE OUT OVER A TEN-YEAR PERIOD, BUT IT'S STILL SUCH A HUGE PART OF THE REVENUES.

I THINK THE FINANCE DEPARTMENT MISCALCULATED THAT THEY WOULD HAVE TO DOUBLE THE SALES TAX OR MORE THAN TRIPLE THE PROPERTY TAX.

OTHER CITIES PAY FOR THEIR SERVICES THROUGH TOURISM TAXES OR OIL AND GAS REVENUES, BUT KANSAS CITY DOESN'T HAVE THAT, YOU KNOW, HUGE SOURCE OF FUNDING, AND SO THERE IS NOT AN EASY ALTERNATIVE.

THIS IS A TAX THAT'S BEEN ONE PERCENT SINCE 1970 AND THE CITY HAS JUST LEARNED TO RELY HEAVILY ON IT.

YOU KNOW, I THINK THAT THE BASIC SERVICES WOULD SUFFER GREATLY IF THE TAX DID GO AWAY, EVEN PHASED OUT OVER TEN YEARS, AND KANSAS CITY ALREADY HAS TROUBLE PROVIDING BASIC SERVICES THAT MEET CITIZEN SATISFACTION LEVELS.

SO I JUST DON'T THINK THAT THE OPPONENTS HAVE A GOOD ALTERNATIVE.

>> NICK: HAS THIS PANDEMIC, THOUGH, SHAWN THE LIMITS OF THIS KIND OF TAX, ERIC WESSON, BECAUSE A LOT OF PEOPLE THIS YEAR, THOUSANDS, IN FACT, ARE NOW ASKING FOR REBATES BECAUSE THEY WEREN'T EVEN COMING IN TO KANSAS CITY.

THEY WERE WORKING FROM HOME.

WHAT ARE THE IMPLICATIONS TO THE CITY OF THEM?

>> WELL, THEY HAVE TO REFUND THAT MONEY, AND I THINK SOME OF THE REFUND MONEY WILL COME FROM THE GOVERNMENT'S COVID RELIEF PACKAGE THAT THEY'RE GOING TO SEND $190 MILLION.

I THINK THEY'LL TAKE A PORTION OF THAT TO REFUND PEOPLE THEIR MONEY BACK.

BUT LET ME SAY THIS.

I THINK THAT ONE OF THE THINGS THAT WE'VE LEARNED THROUGH THE PANDEMIC IS THIS CHANGED THE WAY THAT WE THINK AND DO BUSINESS NOT ONLY IN KANSAS CITY BUT NATIONALLY.

SO I LOOK FOR A LOT OF PEOPLE TO REMAIN WORKING FROM HOME IN OTHER AREAS, BECAUSE NOW WE'VE PROVEN THAT IT CAN BE DONE AND WE CAN DO IT SUCCESSFULLY.

SO I THINK IT'S GOING TO ALWAYS BE AN ISSUE FROM NOW ON.

>> NICK: LYNN.

>> YES, AND THAT IS TRUE.

ABOUT NEARLY HALF OF THE TAXES PAID BY NONRESIDENTS, AND THAT'S WHY THIS IS AN EASY VOTE FOR KANSAS CITY RESIDENTS.

THEY'RE GOING TO VOTE FOR IT.

THE NONRESIDENTS DON'T GET A VOTE.

BUT YES, OVER TIME, NICK, YOU'RE ABSOLUTELY RIGHT.

THE ECONOMY IS CHANGING.

THE EARNINGS TAX MAY NOT GENERATE THE HUGE LEVEL OF FUNDING IT HAS FOR THE CITY, AND THAT KIND OF GO TO THE POINT THAT THE OPPONENTS ARE MAKING.

THEY THINK THE EARNINGS TAX LEADS TO A BLOATED BUREAUCRACY AND THEY WANT THE CITY TO EXERCISE MORE FISCAL DISCIPLINE.

WELL, IF THE EARNINGS TAX IS GRADUALLY ERODED AWAY, TO SOME EXTENT, IT WILL IMPOSE THAT FISCAL DISCIPLINE ON THE CITY.

>> NICK: PETER, IT'S BECOMING A LITTLE BIT LIKE THE GAS TAX WHERE PEOPLE HAVE ELECTRIC VEHICLES AND OTHER WAYS OF NOT PAYING THE GAS TAX ANYMORE.

IF THIS GOES ON AND MORE PEOPLE ARE WORKING AT HOME, YOU EVEN SEE H & R BLOCK PERMANENTLY SAYING EMPLOYEES ONLY HAVE TO COME IN THREE DAYS A WEEK, TUESDAYS, WEDNESDAYS AND THURSDAYS.

IS THIS GOING TO BE A PERMANENT PROBLEM FOR THIS TAX?

>> ABSOLUTELY.

MAYOR LUCAS WAS IN JEFF CITY MEETING WITH LAWMAKERS.

HIS PREFERENCE IS THIS IS ON THE BALLOT EVERY 10 YEARS.

THAT'S FINE.

IT WON'T GO AWAY.

IT WILL PASS.

THE BIGGER ISSUE IS WHERE ARE YOU MAKING UP THESE REVENUES?

ONE PLACE TO DO IT THAT I THINK IS A BIPARTISAN ISSUE WOULD ACTUALLY BE TO LESSEN THE DEVELOPERS GIVEAWAYS THAT THIS TOWN DOES AND CREATE A MORE TAX-FRIENDLY ENVIRONMENT IN THAT PROCESS AS WELL.

THERE SEEMS TO BE SUPPORT ACROSS THE BOARD FOR THAT.

THE QUESTION IS HOW MUCH, AND THEN YOU'RE GETTING SOME OF THESE TAX DOLLARS BACK INTO YOUR COFFERS.

>> NICK: VOTERS WILL ALSO BE PICKING CANDIDATES IN SCORES OF CITY COUNCIL AND SCHOOL BOARD RACES IN DOZENS OF CITIES.

FOUR SEATS ON THE KANSAS CITY SCHOOL BOARD ARE UP FOR GRABS.

WHAT'S AT STAKE IN THIS ELECTION?

>> CONTROL OF THE SCHOOL BOARD, WHETHER OR NOT THE BORED, THE COMPLEX OF THE BOARD CHANGES WHERE YOU HAVE SOMEBODY ON THE BOARD THAT'S PRO-CHARTER SCHOOLS, SCHOOLS FROM KC HAS PUT A TREMENDOUS AMOUNT OF MONEY IN THE SCHOOL BOARD ELECTION.

THIS MIGHT ONE OF THE HIGHEST EVER.

LAST COUNTY HEARD THIS MORNING WAS ABOUT $100,000 HAS GONE INTO A VOLUNTEER POSITION, BUT THEIR GOAL IS TO CHANGE AND TAKE SOME OF THE VACANT SCHOOLS THAT KANSAS CITY PUBLIC SCHOOLS AREN'T USING, TAKE THOSE BUILDINGS, TURN THEM INTEREST CHARTER SCHOOLS, AND ULTIMATELY, NICK, IT COULD BE A SITUATION WHERE PUBLIC SCHOOLS AS WE KNOW IT MIGHT BE A THING OF THE PAST.

SO IT'S VERY, VERY IMPORTANT THAT PEOPLE PAY ATTENTION AND GET OUT AND VOTE.

>> NICK: AND LINDA WAGAR, THAT'S THE ISSUE.

AS PETE MUNDO MENTIONED, THESE LOCAL POSITIONS HAVE BEEN SO CRITICAL DURING THIS PANDEMIC YEAR.

WHO IS ON YOUR SCHOOL BOARD MAY HAVE DECIDED, FOR INSTANCE, WHETHER YOU WERE IN SCHOOL WITH YOUR CHILDREN OR THEY HAVE BEEN TAUGHT VIA COMPUTER SCREEN.

>> LOCAL ELECTIONS ARE ALWAYS IMPORTANT, AND TOO OFTEN THEY'RE OVERLOOKED.

I THINK IT'S IMPORTANT TO REMEMBER WITH THE SCHOOL BOARD THAT EVEN CHARTER SCHOOLS ARE PUBLIC SCHOOLS.

SO IT'S GOING TO CHANGE -- IT MAY CHANGE HOW A SCHOOL DISTRICT LOOKS, BUT YOU'RE STILL SENDING CHILDREN TO PUBLIC SCHOOLS.

THEY'RE FUNDED BY TAXPAYERS AND THEY'RE GETTING A PUBLIC EDUCATION.

YOU HAVEN'T ALL OF A SUDDEN GONE TO A PRIVATE -- YOU'RE NOT FUNDING A PRIVATE SCHOOL.

YOU'RE FUNDING A PUBLIC SCHOOL.

>> ERIC.

>> KANSAS CITY PUBLIC SCHOOLS ARE ON THE CUSP OF GETTING FULL ACCREDITATION.

IF YOU REALLY STOP AND THINK ABOUT IT, DR. BE DALE HAS BEEN THERE ALMOST LONGER THAN ANY SUPERINTENDENT WE'VE HAD IN QUITE A WHILE.

YOU DON'T TURN ON THE NEWS AND SEE A BUNCH OF FOOLISHNESS GOING ON WITH THE SCHOOL DISTRICT.

>> IT IS AMAZING IN THAT WAY, LYNN.

YOU USED TO BE THE SCHOOL BOARD REPORTER.

IT WAS A FRONT PAGE NEWS STORY, IT SEEMS, EVERY SINGLE WEEK.

IT COULD TOP TELEVISION NEWS STATIONS.

YOU DON'T HEAR ABOUT IT AS MUCH ANYMORE.

>> THAT'S ABSOLUTELY TRUE.

I COVERED A CIRCUS.

IT WAS AN AROUND THE CLOCK CIRCUS.

IT WASN'T SO MUCH ABOUT THE SCHOOLS BUT ABOUT THE FIGHTING BETWEEN THE BOARD MEMBERS AND THE SUPERINTENDENT, AND THERE WAS A REVOLVING DOOR OF SUPERINTENDENTS.

THAT HAS BEEN A VERY REFRESHING DEVELOPMENT IN RECENT YEARS.

A SCHOOL BOARD THAT APPEARS TO WORK WELL TOGETHER.

THEY APPEAR TO WORK WELL WITH THE SUPERINTENDENT.

THERE'S BEEN STABILITY IN THE ADMINISTRATIVE REINS, AND SO AS CITIZENS CONSIDER THEIR VOTES, THAT REALLY MIGHT BE SOMETHING TO KEEP IN MIND.

>> NICK: NOW, IF YOU LIVE IN KANSAS, IT NO LONGER MATTERED THIS WEEK HOLD YOU ARE, WHAT YOU DO FOR A LIVING OR YOUR MEDICAL HISTORY.

IF YOU WANT THE COVID VACCINE, YOU ARE NOW ELIGIBLE.

KANSAS GOVERNOR LAURA KELLY SAYS SHE PUTTING HER FOOT ON THE ACCELERATOR NOW THAT THE STATE HAS BEEN PROMISED LARGE SHIPMENTS OF THE VACCINES, AND AMID CONCERNS THAT SOME COUNTIES DON'T HAVE ANYONE LEFT TO VACCINATE.

TELL THAT, OF COURSE, TO PEOPLE AROUND HERE WHERE THERE ARE STILL LONG WAITING LISTS.

ON FRIDAY OF NEXT WEEK, EVERY MISSOURIAN WHO WANTS IT CAN GET IT.

BUT THERE'S A BIG DIFFERENCE BETWEEN BEING ELIGIBLE AND HAVING ACCESS.

WHEN DO OUR LOCAL HEALTH LEADERS THING THE SUPPLY WILL FINALLY OUTSTRIP THE DEMAND?

>> I DON'T KNOW WHEN THEY THINK IT WILL.

I DID A STORY A COUPLE WEEKS AGO ABOUT THE PEOPLE SIGNED UP IN MISSOURI TO GET THIS VACCINE AND THEY'RE BEING SENT TWO AND A HALF HOURS AWAY, TWO AND A HALF HOURS AWAY.

KANSAS CITY HAS TRIED TO RESPOND TO THAT BY SAYING IF YOU'RE 65 OR OLDER, YOU CAN CALL 311, AND THEY'LL TRY AND CONNECT YOU TO WHERE YOUR CLOSEST VACCINE IS.

BUT THERE'S A LOT OF BAD -- I DON'T KNOW WHAT THEY'RE DOING AT THE STATE LEVEL, BUT THEY SEEM LIKE THEY HAVE AN OVER-SUPPLY OF VACCINE IN PLACES DOWN BY ARKANSAS, PARTS OF MISSOURI THAT BORDER ARKANSAS, THAT THEY HAVE A LOT OF VACCINE IN SE SEDALIA, AND NOT MUCH IN KANSAS CITY.

>> NICK: SPEAKING OF DRIVING LONG DISTANCES TO GET THE VACCINE.

DID YOU SEE THIS WEEKEND, A MISSOURI MAN DROVE 6 HOURS ROUND TRIP TO GET THE VACCINE, SENT GOVERNOR MIKE PARSON A BILL FOR HIS MILEAGE?

>> IN MY PERSONAL, HUMBLE, LAYMAN'S OPINION, I THINK THAT THE WAY THE VACCINATION PROGRAM HAS BEEN HANDLED BORDERS ON CRIMINAL.

TO HEAR GOVERNOR PARSONS SAY, YOU KNOW, WE MESSED UP, OOPS.

>> THAT WAS MISSOURI I DON'T KNOW MICHAEL MEREDITH SUBMITTING A 121-DOLLAR BILL TO THE STATE FOR TRAVEL EXPENSES.

WHAT HAPPENS IF WE ALL DO THAT, LYNN HORSLEY?

>> I WAS JUST GOING TO SAY THERE IS A TWITTER MESSAGE YOU CAN GET NOW, KANSAS CITY VACCINE WATCH.

BUT THEY'LL ADVERTISE, YOU CAN GO ON AND MAKE AN APPOINTMENT AT THIS WALGREENS OR AT THIS GROCERY STORE, AND THEN SIX MINUTES LATER ALL THE VACCINE APPOINTMENTS ARE FILLED.

SO IT SHOWS THAT THERE'S HUGE DEMAND IN THE URBAN AREAS.

>> NICK: BUT THE ISSUE THERE ALSO IS THE FACT THAT YOU HAVE TO BE REALLY TECHNICALLY SAVVY, SMARTPHONE, LIVING ON IT AND HAVE THE TIME TO DO, THAT ERIC WESSON, TO BE ABLE TO TAKE ADVANTAGE OF THIS.

>> YEAH, AND MOST PEOPLE IN THE URBAN CORE THAT ARE ELDERLY DON'T HAVE THAT.

THIS HE DON'T HAVE SMARTPHONES.

THEY DON'T HAVE COMPUTERS.

SO FOR THEM TO GET IN THE PROCESS OR GET IN THE MIX, MOST OF THE TIME THEY HAVE TO CALL 311.

NOBODY CALLS THEM BACK.

THEN THEY CALL SWOPE.

THEN THEY CALL SAMUEL RODGERS.

THEN WHEN THEIR APPOINTMENT TIME COMES, WHAT YOU HAVE IS A BUNCH OF VIALS OF THE VACCINE THAT NOBODY CAME AND GOT BECAUSE THEY WENT AND GOT IT SOMEWHERE ELSE.

IT'S AN ONGOING ISSUE HERE IN THE URBAN CORE.

>> NICK: THERE HAVE BEEN STUDIES THAT STATES THAT STAGGERED THE VACCINE DISTRIBUTION TO SPECIFIC GROUPS HAVE DONE A BETTER JOB THAN THOSE JUST LETTING IT BE AVAILABLE TO EVERYONE SO SWIFTLY.

WHY IS THIS HAPPENING?

CERTAINLY IN KANSAS, WHAT WAS THE PUSH FOR GOVERNOR LAURA KELLY TO MAKE THIS AVAILABLE SO QUICKLY?

WAS POLITICS INVOLVED IN THAT IN YOUR ESTIMATION?

>> WELL, IT WAS, NICK, BECAUSE IF YOU RECALL, PLACES IN THE CENTRAL PART OF KANSAS, THEY'RE READY TO MOVE ON TO DIFFERENT PHASES.

THEY HAD THE SUPPLY AVAILABLE.

THEY WERE READY TO DO IT, AND THE GOVERNOR SAID, HOLD ON, NO, NO, NO, NO, WE'VE GOT TO WAIT FOR THE REST OF THE STATE TO CATCH UP.

THAT GOT A LOT OF POLITICAL BLOWBACK, BECAUSE IT WOULD SEEM TO ME IF YOU'VE GOT THE SUPPLY TO MOVE ON, COUNTIES SHOULD BE ABLE TO MOVE ON IF THEY'VE GOT THAT SUPPLY SITTING THERE.

IT MIGHT GET A LITTLE MESSY, BUT THE WHOLE THING HAS BEEN MESSY, LET'S BE HONEST.

WHEN YOU'RE FACTORING THIS THING BASED ON WHO IS ESSENTIAL AND WHO IS NOT OR SIMPLY GOING DOWN THE FOOD CHAIN BASED ON AGE, WHICH TO ME MAKES THE MOST SENSE, AND SOME STATES HAVE DONE THAT AND HAD SUCCESS, IT'S GOING TO BE CLUNKY.

IT SEEMS LIKE THINGS ARE GETTING BETTER.

IN MISSOURI, ABOUT 60% OF THE VACCINE DISTRIBUTIONS HAVE BEEN TO THE KANSAS CITY AND ST. LOUIS REGIONS.

IT SEEMS TO ME YOU HAVE AN OVER-SUPPLY IN SOME OF THE RURAL AREAS AND THAT MIGHT BE MORE DRIVEN BY DEMAND IN THESE PARTS OF THE STATE VERSUS NECESSARILY AN OVER-SUPPLY.

>> NICK: THIS WEEK, SHAWNEE COUNTY, HOME OF THE CITY OF TOPEKA, IS NOW ALLOWING BUSINESSES AND CHURCHES NO LONGER REQUIRE FACE MASKS.

LAST WEEK, ST. JOSEPH, MISSOURI VOTED TO REMOVE ITS MASK MANDATE, SO DID SEDGWICK COUNTY, HOME OF THE CITY OF WICHITA.

THIS WEEK, GOVERNOR LAURA KELLY EXTENDING THE STATEWIDE MASK MANDATE, BUT DOES THAT MAKE ANY DIFFERENCE?

AS WE TAPE THIS SHOW, REPUBLICAN LEGISLATIVE LEADERS VOWING TO OVERTURN IT.

IF THAT HAPPENS, THAT MEANS THERE'S NO LONGER A MASK MANDATE IN THE STATE OF KANSAS, LINDA?

>> YEAH.

YOU REALLY WONDER HOW THIS IS GOING TO IMPACT PEOPLE, THE COMFORT LEVEL PEOPLE HAVE IN GOING ON WHERE PEOPLE AREN'T WEARING MASKS, AND IF YOU SEE NUMBERS START GOING BACK UP AGAIN, THEN YOU'RE GOING TO SEE BUSINESS DROP OFF AGAIN FOR A LOT OF THESE BUSINESSES, SO IT SEEMS COUNTER INTUITIVE.

>> I HEARD AN ANALOGY, SOMEONE WAS SAYING, IT'S IMPORTANT NOT TO SPIKE THE BALL ON THE 5-YARD LINE.

WE ARE GETTING BETTER.

WE'RE GETTING CLOSER.

MORE PEOPLE ARE GETTING VACCINATED.

THE VIRUS IS COMING UNDER CONTROL, BUT WE DON'T WANT TO DECLARE VICTORY PREMATURELY AND WITH THESE NEW VARIANTS, IT'S STILL THE ADVICE, I THINK, FROM MOST HEALTH OFFICIALS TO STAY CAUTIOUS.

>> NICK: HASN'T THE FRUSTRATION FOR MANY PEOPLE, THOUGH, PETE MUNDO, BEEN THE VIEW THAT WE'VE BEEN CHANGING THE GOALPOST.

IT WAS FLATTENING THE CURVE TO BEGIN WITH, AND THEN PROTECTING HEALTH CARE WORKERS AND NOT OVERWHELMING HOSPITALS, AND THAT WHEN THE VACCINE BECAME AVAILABLE, WE COULD GO BACK TO NORMAL, BUT NONE OF THOSE THINGS ARE ACTUALLY HAPPENING?

>> YEAH, THEY'RE NOT.

IT SEEMS TO BE TWO WEEKS TO FLATTEN THE CURVE IS NOW ON WEEK 56, GIVE OR TAKE A WEEK, AND WE HAVE -- THAT DOESN'T MEAN THE -- WE'RE ABOUT A MONTH INTO REOPENING THE STATES OF TEXAS AND MISSISSIPPI WHO DID DROP THEIR MASK MANDATES, AND THEY HAVE SEEN CASES AND DEATHS GO DOWN, IF NOT STAY STABLE.

SO THERE IS SOMETHING TO BE SAID FOR PEOPLE LOOKING AROUND THE COUNTRY SAYING, IS IT SEASONAL?

THERE IS SERIOUS SUCCESS GOING ON.

NOTE 2, IT'S OPENING DAY, BASEBALL SEASON GETTING UNDERWAY, A LOT OF PEOPLE LOOKING FORWARD TO.

THAT SOME STADIUMS ARE GOING TO BE AT LEAST 50% FULL.

WE'LL KIND OF SEE HOW THAT PLAYS OUT AND WHAT THAT MEANS GOING FORWARD.

>> NICK: LAST YEAR, MISSOURI VOTERS APPROVED EXPANDING THE STATE'S MEDICAID PROGRAM TO PROVIDE HEALTH CARE COVERAGE TO AROUND 275,000 LOW INCOME RESIDENTS, BUT ARE STATE LAWMAKERS ABOUT TO SCUTTLE THE MEASURE BY REFUSING TO FUND IT?

>> PEOPLE IN THIS STATE WILL DIE IF WE DO NOT EXPAND FUNDING FOR MEDICAID.

>> THIS IS THE LEFT'S OVER INDULGENCE IN A ROBINHOOD COMPLEX OF CONSTANTLY TRYING TO TAKE FROM THOSE WHO HAVE EARNED TO GIVE AWAY TO THOSE WHO HAVE NOT.

>> NICK: SO WHAT ARE WE TO MAKE OF THAT?

IS IT A LARGELY SYMBOLIC MOVE, LINDA WAGAR, OR A CONSERVATIVE EFFORT TO UNDUE THE WISHES OF MISSOURI VOTERS?

>> THEY'RE SAYING IT'S A SYMBOLIC MOVE.

YOU'VE GOT TO ASSUME THERE IS GOING TO BE A COURT CHALLENGE IF THIS GOES FORWARD.

THIS IS PART OF THE CONSTITUTION.

THE ONE STATISTIC THAT ALWAYS JUST AMAZES ME, A MOTHER WITH TWO CHILDREN WHO WORKS ONLY 10 HOURS A WEEK MAKES TOO MUCH MONEY TO QUALIFY FOR MEDICAID IN MISSOURI.

>> NICK: THE STATE OF MAINE A FEW YEARS AGO, PETE MUNDO, ALSO VOTED FOR MEDICAID EXPANSION.

THE GOVERNOR THERE RESISTED MANY YEARS UNTIL A NEW ONE CAME IN.

WHAT IS THE MAIN OBJECTION HERE TO FUNDING IT ONCE THE VOTERS HAVE SAID YES TO THIS?

>> WELL, IT'S POLITICS.

THERE'S NO DOUBT ABOUT IT.

DISAGREEMENT WITH THE VOTERS ON IT.

SOME MAY BE THE WORDING OF WHAT WAS ON THE BALLOT AT THE TIME.

SOME PEOPLE CLAIM THEY WERE POSSIBLY CONFUSED BY IT, BUT THE REALITY IS THE PEOPLE SPOKE.

I DON'T BELIEVE THERE'S GOING TO BE A WAY AROUND IT.

IT WOULD BE A BAD LOOK FOR THE MISSOURI G.O.P.

TO CONTINUE TO FIGHT IT EVEN IF THEY HAVE FAIR CONCERNS ABOUT WHAT THE COST WILL ULTIMATELY BE TO THE STATE, WHICH IS SOMETHING THAT YOU SEE.

A LOT OF THESE STATES ARE TOLD THE COST WILL BE X.

IT IS X PLUS A LOT MORE AFTER THIS GETS IMPLEMENTED.

BUT ONCE AGAIN, I REALLY DON'T SEE HOW THEY GET AROUND IT.

>> NICK: LYNN, IT'S INTERESTING, YOU KNOW, WE FOCUS ON THE MISSOURI LEGISLATURE.

OVER THE YEARS THERE WAS THE PUPPY MILL BILL AND THEY REVERSED THAT.

IT HAPPENS IN OTHER PLACES TOO.

I REMEMBER AT CITY HALL CLAY CHASTAIN HAD A LIGHT RAIL PLAN BACK IN 2006 THAT VOTERS APPROVED AND YET CITY HALL SAID, NO, THIS IS UNFEASIBLE, THERE'S NO MONEY PUT IN THE PLAN TO FUND IT, SO WE'RE GOING TO REJECT IT.

IS THAT THE SAME THING?

>> YOU ARE CORRECT.

VOTERS APPROVED CLAY CHASTAIN'S PIPE DREAM OF A LIGHT RAIL PLAN, HUGELY EXPENSIVE.

THERE WERE ALSO LEGAL CHALLENGES TO IMPLEMENTING HIS PLAN.

THAT WAS A ONE MAN CRUSADE, AND THE COUNCIL DID, RATHER GRUDGINGLY, LOOK AT HOW TO IMPLEMENT IT, AND OVER TIME CAME TO THE CONCLUSION THAT NOT ONLY WAS IT NOT FINANCIALLY FEASIBLE, BUT THERE WERE SO MANY LEGAL AND REGULATORY HURDLES.

NOW, WITH THE CASE OF MEDICAID, THIS IS -- 37 OTHER STATES HAVE DONE THIS.

THIS ISN'T A ONE-MAN CRUSADE.

THIS IS SOMETHING THAT MANY OTHER STATES HAVE DONE, AND I AGREE WITH PETE.

I THINK IN THIS CASE THE BURDEN IS ON THE LEGISLATURE TO SHOW THAT THEY'RE JUST NOT GOING TO DO IT.

I THINK THEY WILL FACE AN UPHILL BATTLE WITH THE COURT.

>> NICK: SOMETIMES IN THE MEDIA WE WANT TO CREATE THIS SENSE OF DISCORD AND OUTRAGE, ERIC WESSON, BUT HOW WILL THIS PLAY OUT?

THE GOVERNOR OF MISSOURI HAS ALREADY SAID HE'S WANTING TO IMPLEMENT THIS PLAN.

AFTER ALL OF THE LOUD NOISE AND INDIGNATION, IS THIS FINALLY GOING TO BE APPROVED?

>> I BELIEVE IT WILL, BECAUSE THIS HAS BEEN GOING ON FOR, I KNOW, PROBABLY ABOUT AT LEAST A DECADE, AND SO VOTERS FINALLY SAID, HEY, PASS IT.

LET'S GET THIS OVER WITH AND MOVE ON, AND WE'RE STILL AT SQUARE ONE.

>> NICK: AND OF COURSE, KANSAS STILL HASN'T DONE THAT, OF COURSE, AS ONE OF THOSE STATES THAT LYNN SAYS HASN'T INTRODUCED MEDICAID EXPANSION.

AS A FORMER STATEHOUSE REPORTER, I UNDERSTAND ANY LAWMAKER CAN INTRODUCE A BILL.

IT DOESN'T MEAN IT'S ACTUALLY GOING ANYWHERE, BUT IN THIS WEEK IN WHICH WE MARKED TRANSGENDER VISIBILITY DAY IN KANSAS, A MEASURE BLOCKING TRANSGENDER ATHLETES FROM GIRLS SPORTS IS GAINING MOMENTUM.

THE KANSAS SENATE RECENTLY APPROVED THE BILL.

IT'S NOW BEING DEBATED IN THE KANSAS HOUSE.

THE ACLU IS THREATENING TO SUE THE STATE IF IT'S ENACTED.

IN OTHER STATES WHERE SIMILAR MEASURES ARE BEING PURSUED, SPORTS ORGANIZATIONS LIKE THE NCAA ARE THREATENING BOYCOTTS.

OF COURSE, WE STILL DON'T KNOW WHAT GOVERNOR LAURA KELLY WILL DO.

CAN I ASSUME SHE WILL VETO THE BILL, PETE?

>> YES, AND AND THEN THE QUESTION IS ARE THERE VOTES TO OVERRIDE HER VETO?

THERE ARE PIECES OF LEGISLATION WHERE THERE ARE ENOUGH VOTES TO OVERRIDE POTENTIAL BILLS THAT THE GOVERNOR MAY END UP VETOING.

I DIDN'T KNOW IN THIS CASE IF THERE ARE.

MY HUNCH WOULD BE THAT THERE ARE.

THIS SEEMS LIKE TO BE AN ISSUE IN PARTICULAR THAT WOULD GET OVERWHELMING SUPPORT, THAT HER VETO WOULD BE OVERRIDDEN.

>> NICK: MISSOURI, BY THE WAY, IS ALSO TACKLING THIS ISSUE.

THEY ARE CONSIDERING A CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT, LINDA.

IF THIS WERE PUT ON THE BALLOT, WHAT WOULD THE PROSPECTS OF PASSAGE OF THAT BE?

>> I DON'T REALLY HAVE A GOOD IDEA FOR THAT, BUT I WOULD ASSUME IT MIGHT PASS.

I THINK THE BIGGER QUESTION THAT I HAVE WITH ALL THESE ISSUES, AND IT'S THE SAME WITH THE BATHROOM BILL IS THAT, HOW BIG OF A PROBLEM IS THIS?

HAVE WE SEEN A LOT OF TRANSGENDER CHILDREN THAT HAVE TRIED TO JOIN SPORTS TEAMS?

MISSOURI AND KANSAS?

I MEAN, IS THIS A BIG ISSUE?

AND I KIND OF WONDER WHY THE FOCUS ON THIS ISSUE WHEN THERE ARE SO MANY MORE COMPELLING PROBLEMS OUT THERE THAT WE REALLY SHOULD BE DEALING WITH.

>> LET'S NOT FORGET THAT PRESIDENT BIDEN DID SIGN AN EXECUTIVE ORDER HIS FIRST OR SECOND DAY IN OFFICE THAT BASICALLY WOULD, IF YOU DID NOT ALLOW TRANSGENDER GIRLS TO COMPETE AGAINST GIRLS IN SPORTS, YOU COULD POTENTIALLY LOSE YOUR FEDERAL FUNDING, SO THAT'S WHERE THIS ALL KIND OF PICKED UP A LOT OF STEAM THE LAST COUPLE OF MONTHS.

THERE'S NO DOUBT THERE IS A POLITICAL ANGLE TO THIS AS WELL THAT CAN BE CAPITALIZED ON BY PEOPLE ON BOTH SIDES OF THE AISLE, BUT THAT'S WHERE IT PICKED UP STEAM ON THE REPUBLICAN SIDE OF THINGS, AND THAT'S WHAT KIND OF STARTED THE SNOWBALL EFFECT, WHICH WAS THIS EXECUTIVE ORDER.

>> NICK: NOW, WHEN YOU PUT A PROGRAM LIKE THIS TOGETHER EVERY WEEK, YOU CAN'T GET EVERY STORY MAKING THE HEADLINES.

WHAT WAS THE BIG LOCAL STORY WE MISSED?

>> THE MAN BEHIND KANSAS CITY'S JEWISH COMMUNITY CENTER SHOOTINGS NOW APPEALING HIS DEATH SENTENCE.

HUNDREDS GATHER AT SEVERAL ANTIASIAN HATE RALLIES AROUND THE METRO.

SOME CALLED HER A LIVING SAINT, REMEMBERING OPERATION BREAKTHROUGH COFOUNDER SISTER.

A NEW STATE LAW FORCES EVERY SCHOOL IN KANSAS TO REOPEN THIS WEEK.

AND BASEBALL IS BACK.

THE ROYALS HOSTING ITS HOME OPENER IN FRONT OF 10,000 FANS.

>> NICK: OKAY.

ERIC WESSON, WAS IT ONE OF THOSE STORIES OR SOMETHING COMPLETELY DIFFERENT?

>> SOMETHING COMPLETELY DIFFERENT, AND I WILL SAY IT WAS THE ASSAULT CHARGES THAT WERE BROUGHT FORTH AGAINST COUNCILMAN BRANDON ELLINGTON ON WEDNESDAY.

I THINK THAT PROBABLY -- THAT'S ONE OF THOSE POPCORN AND COKE AND JUST SIT BACK AND WATCH THIS THING UNFOLD.

>> NICK: DIDN'T HE SAY, THOUGH, HE HAD DONE NOTHING AND IT WAS ONLY A POKING OF THE CHEST, IF THAT?

>> HE SAID HE DIDN'T EVEN POKE HIM IN THE CHEST.

HE DIDN'T DO ANYTHING.

>> NICK: LYNN.

>> WE TOUCHED ON THIS BRIEFLY, NICK.

THE IMPORTANCE OF LOCAL ELECTIONS.

I LIVE IN THE NORTHLAND, AND THERE'S VERY LITTLE COVERAGE OF THE ELECTIONS, BUT WE'VE GOT SCHOOL BOARD RACES UP HERE, A HEALTH TRUSTEE RACE HOT AND HEAVY.

NOBODY USED TO PAY ANY ATTENTION TO THE PLATTE COUNTY HEALTH DEPARTMENT, BUT NOW WE SURE DO.

THE PARKVILLE CITY COUNCIL HAS IMPORTANT RACES THAT COULD DETERMINE THE DEVELOPMENT OF A RIVERFRONT PARK WHERE THERE'S A FIERCE DEBATE GOING ON.

>> NICK: NOW THAT YOU'VE SAID ALL OF THAT, I'M PREDICTING VERY LARGE LONG LINES GOING TO POLLING STATIONS IN THE NORTHLAND, LYNN, SO GIVE AN EXTRA BIT OF TIME PREPARING YOURSELF BEFORE THE BALLOT BOX TUESDAY.

LINDA WAGAR.

>> GREAT ADMIRATION TO ANYBODY WHO WOULD TACKLE A LOT OF THESE JOBS.

JUST THE ENORMOUS AMOUNT OF HEADACHE THAT'S INVOLVED AND THE PUSHBACK THAT YOU GET FROM THE PUBLIC, SO HATS OFF TO ANYBODY RUNNING.

>> NICK: THAT'S A GREAT POINT.

I HAPPENED TO BE IN A RESTAURANT AND I RAN INTO LEE BARNES ON THE CITY COUNCIL, AND I SAID THANK YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE AS PART OF THAT CONVERSATION.

HIS WIFE JUST LOOKED AT ME, WHAT SERVICE?

YOU GET IT IN ALL DIRECTIONS WHEN YOU'RE IN ELECTED OFFICE.

PETE MUNDO.

>> LET'S TALK ABOUT THE FACT THAT BASEBALL IS BACK, OPENING DAY THIS PAST WEEK, AND WE DIDN'T HAVE IT LAST YEAR, OBVIOUSLY, 10,000 PEOPLE GOING TO BE AT THE K IN APRIL.

THAT NUMBER WILL HOPEFULLY GO UP AS THE SEASON GOES ON, AND I'LL TAKE THE OVER ON THE 72 WINS AS WELL.

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

THANK YOU, LINDA WAGAR FROM FOX 4 NEWS, ERIC WESSON FROM THE CALL, KCUR CONTRIBUTING REPORTER LYNN HORSLEY AND 6 TO 10 WEEKDAYS ON KCMO TALK RADIO, PETE MUNDO.

I'M NICK HAINES.

FROM ALL OF HERE AS KANSAS CITY PBS, KEEP CALM AND CARRY ON.

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